Hey I'm interested in starting an adult day care and I was wondering if anybody knows if medicare/medicaid covers this.

While I was in nursing school we did some of our geriatric clinical rounds in an adult daycare. This link is to their site. I hope it is helpful.http://www.lcs.net/alps/

I worked in an Adult Day Health Center  for a few years.  Medicare will require the client or family to pay, and does have it's own criteria for admission, but the cost could be used as part of  a "spend down".  In our program the elder had to have a medical condition that required assessment on a routine basis (and what elder doesn't?) say BP meds and BP check everyday in attendance  The cost for Medicare was higher than for those with Medicaid.  The powers that be would fall all over themselves trying to get elders with Medicare.  There are a ton of regulations and some creative, but of course accurate, documentation may be required.  A "day health center"  requires in my state  that an RN must be on the premises for at least 8 hours a day, you can have as many LPNs as you need as long as there is at least one RN for a free-standing Center (mostly just to sign all the paper work).  Having access to a Social Worker is also a good idea but I can't remember if it is a requirement.  There has to be at least quarterly communication with the PCP, monthly health assessments.  Ie. VS, MS, Changes in vision, hearing, bowels etc.  Sometimes we would get people to just bring in their morning meds and give them at the program, of course the MD would have to write that the elder was not capable of self-administration or needed supervsion (the docs were always cooperative and appreciated the heads-up from us re:changes in condition).      We had field trips, grocery shopping, arts and crafts, current events, Bingo etc.  and I brought in  a lab so that the elders didn't have to miss an entire day waiting for a 15 minute draw for an INR at home and a podiatrist (all billable to the insurance company, Medicare or Medicaid).  We also picked up on early complications, CHF, cellulitis, DVT, UTI etc. and what elder wants to sit and look at 4 walls waiting to die.

One of the best stories I have is that on Tuesdays and Thursdays we had so many ladies that we had to put 2 tables together to accomodate all the ladies who had become friends.  We got subscriptions to the local papers, and they clipped coupons and read the recipes did the crosswords etc.  Two ladies sat next to each other, one with early Alzheimer's  and she would read her paper upside down, the lady next to her who didn't have Alz.  would talk to her all day, and after a few months would have the first ladies tea and newspaper waiting for her---upside-down when she came in!  it was a beautiful friendship.  One that neither would have had staying home watching the Price is Right all day.  So worth it!!!  I have a million stories!

Check you state regs, as mg1021 stated!  Go for it!  It's very rewarding!  If you can meet the state requirements you can meet the Medicare requirements for admission, this is for a Day Health center remember, there is a difference.  Also, the VA may pay for Vets if criteria are met.  Good Luck!!