Located in Bergenfield, New Jersey, the Sunshine Adult Day Center kicks off every day with an energetic parade aimed at celebrating multiculturalism. Today’s festivities highlight various countries, including the Philippines, India, Haiti, Mexico, and the United States. Many of the participants, predominantly older adults, participate in the lively atmosphere as they dance through the room, cheerfully waving streamers and playing drums to the upbeat sounds of Pitbull’s “I Know You Want Me.” The vibrant scene showcases the diversity of its attendees.

Among them is Charity Wogwugwu, an 87-year-old proud representative of Nigeria. Dressed elegantly in a pistachio green skirt adorned with red and gold flowers, a bright yellow floral top, and a pleated gold headwrap, she expresses her love for the Center. “They pay attention to us. They recognize us,” said Wogwugwu, who lives in nearby Teaneck with her daughter and six grandchildren. She emphasizes the importance of Sunshine in her life, saying, “I love coming to Sunshine.”

All attendees at Sunshine have specific health needs, such as mobility challenges, dementia, or difficulties in performing daily tasks independently. The staff’s primary objective is to ensure that these individuals remain mentally and physically engaged, delaying the need for nursing home care for as long as possible. Adult day centers like Sunshine represent the most diverse long-term care environments in the United States, often reshaping their programs to accommodate the foods, customs, and cultures of the people they serve. They emerge as crucial resources for older adults from diverse racial backgrounds and immigrant communities.

Statistics reveal that around 60% of adult day center participants identify as people of color, according to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers such as Sunshine mirror the demographics of their local communities, drawing individuals from families that might be averse to placing their elders in long-term residential care due to cultural norms or experiences with discrimination. Tina Sadarangani, a nursing practitioner specializing in geriatric care at New York University, notes that adult day services are often “underrecognized” for their significant contributions to communities of color.

Sadarangani points out that the public sometimes views these centers as being comparable to childcare facilities, which can contribute to misunderstandings regarding their role and importance. In addition to enhancing social connections, adult day centers help combat loneliness and isolation among seniors, allowing them to maintain active participation in society.

On the West Coast, He Fengling rises early at 5:30 a.m. on days she attends the Hong Fook Adult Day Health Care Center located in Oakland’s Chinatown. This center caters to individuals of Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese descent. Arriving via a shuttle around 8:30 a.m., she enjoys a breakfast of toast and jam paired with a glass of milk, followed by reading the Sing Tao Daily, a Hong Kong-based newspaper. The day continues with physical therapy, aimed at addressing her arthritis and sciatica concerns.

Various activities are offered pre-lunch, including traditional games like mahjong, tien gow, and Chinese chess, as well as bingo, where calls are translated from English. He, now in her late 80s, appreciates the encouragement she receives from others at the center who commend her determination to participate. Corinne Jan, the CEO of Family Bridges Inc., the nonprofit overseeing Hong Fook, shares that they offer services uniquely suited to their clients, focusing on familiar elements such as language, food, and community.

Many elderly immigrants experience isolation, even when surrounded by family, after shifting from caregiver to care recipient roles. He moved to the U.S. in the late 1990s to assist her daughter with her new baby, but her grandson has since taken on some of the caregiving responsibilities as her mobility and memory decline. Reflecting on her experiences at the day center, she mentions that her time there has significantly improved her mood.

Sadarangani points out that older immigrants often face barriers related to transportation, income, education, and language, which can leave them marginalized, even within their own households. Adult day centers foster a supportive “kinship network” that can alleviate feelings of loneliness. Engaging socially also has tangible health benefits—helping to stave off depression and encouraging physical activity, which can alleviate symptoms associated with dementia.

Sadarangani’s studies were influenced by her family’s experiences at Sunshine before the pandemic, where her grandmother enjoyed new experiences, including a guided tour of New York City in Hindi. Advocates highlight that adult day centers offer one of the most cost-effective long-term care solutions. With approximately 80% of attendees funding their participation through Medicaid, these centers inherently support a diverse, primarily low-income population.

Furthermore, adult day centers serve as vital resources for communities of color, helping individuals connect with necessary services that may be hard to navigate otherwise. At Sunshine, for example, Evan Heidt, the director of social work, engages daily with clients facing food insecurity or housing instability. His work encompasses assisting with Medicaid renewals while coordinating doctor’s appointments and surgeries. Meanwhile, clients benefit from in-house physical therapy sessions and health assessments conducted by the nursing staff.

Many clients at adult day centers often report that they rely on meals provided throughout the day, with Sadarangani estimating that a significant portion of Sunshine’s clients have experienced homelessness. “We are the epicenter of the community, really,” Heidt stated. “Our services are not limited to just our clients; families come to us for support as well.” Avtar Khullar, who attends Sunshine with his wife, shares that the center helped his aging parents while they were alive.

Servicing a diverse population presents unique challenges, particularly concerning meal preparation; Sunshine’s small kitchen staff prepares 120 meals daily across 10 different cuisine options to cater to various dietary preferences. Grant funding and donations are critical for day centers, assisting with transportation for clients. During the pandemic, many centers endeavored to provide clients with care packages and activity resources, even while facing financial constraints, according to experts in the field.

Sunshine continues to have vacancies, especially in afternoon programs, as many participants have not returned since pandemic restrictions were lifted. However, those who have resumed attendance view the center as an essential part of their daily routine and social life. Theomene Valentine, 84, who is among several Haitian clients bussed in from Newark, appreciates the companionship: “I come here to talk in Creole with my friends,” she shared.

Leticia Borromeo, 82, who enthusiastically recruited friends to join her at Sunshine, treasures the exposure to various cultures, cuisines, and traditions. “We are like one family,” she remarked, highlighting the sense of community that these day centers foster.