Private Home Care vs. Senior Day Center: Cost Comparison in Utah
By Julie Smith · Founder & Executive Director, Brighter Days Senior Day Center · About Julie
When families in Utah start looking at professional care for an aging loved one, cost is one of the first and most important questions. The difference between private home care and senior day center is significant — and most families don’t realize how much they can save with senior day center until they see the numbers side by side.
The Cost Breakdown
Senior Day Center
$60–$85/day
- 7 hours of supervised care
- Meals and snacks included
- Optional transportation being planned; additional fees not finalized
- Group activities and social engagement
- Memory care programming
- Personal care assistance
- Medicaid waiver accepted
Monthly (5 days/week): $1,200–$1,700
Private Home Care
$25–$35/hour
- One-on-one caregiver
- Flexible hours (day/night/weekend)
- Companionship and household help
- Personal care assistance
- Medication reminders
- Transportation to appointments
- Generally not covered by Medicaid
Monthly (8 hrs/day, 5 days): $4,000–$5,600
The Math Is Clear
For the same weekday coverage (roughly 7-8 hours per day, Monday through Friday):
- Senior day center: $1,200–$1,700/month
- Private home care: $4,000–$5,600/month
- Savings with senior day center: $2,800–$3,900/month
That’s $33,600–$46,800 per year in savings. For families paying out of pocket, that difference is life-changing.
What Senior Day Center Includes That Home Care Doesn’t
The cost advantage of senior day center is only part of the picture. Day care also provides things that one-on-one home care cannot:
- Social engagement with peers — research consistently shows that social connection slows cognitive decline and reduces depression
- Structured group activities — music therapy, crafts, exercise, reminiscence programs designed by trained staff
- Professional meal service — hot noon meal and snacks meeting dietary guidelines
- Transportation options — Family dropoff is welcome. Optional transportation is being planned; availability, service areas, scheduling, and any additional fees are still being finalized.
- On-site professional visits — physical therapists and social workers can conduct Medicaid-required monthly visits at the center
What Home Care Offers That Day Center Doesn’t
Home care has genuine advantages too:
- Evening and weekend coverage — day center is weekdays only
- One-on-one attention — some seniors need individualized care
- Familiar environment — the senior stays in their own home
- Flexibility — book hours as needed rather than a fixed schedule
The Smart Combination
Many Utah families use both: senior day center Monday through Friday, supplemented with a few hours of private home care on evenings or weekends when needed. This provides comprehensive coverage at a fraction of the cost of home care alone.
Example: 5 days/week at Brighter Days ($1,500/month) + 8 hours/week of evening home care ($800–$1,120/month) = $2,300–$2,620/month total. That’s still less than half the cost of home care alone.
Medicaid Coverage
A critical difference: Utah Medicaid waiver programs (Aging Waiver, New Choices Waiver) cover senior day center as a benefit. Most private home care is not covered by Medicaid. For families who qualify, senior day center through Medicaid can cost nothing out of pocket.
Read our full guide on Medicaid coverage for senior day center in Utah →
Get Started
Brighter Days Senior Day Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Utah County offering sliding-scale pricing and Medicaid waiver acceptance. Schedule a free tour or call 973.868.5251 to discuss your family’s situation.