Paulette Martin, left, visits with her mother, Joyce Martin, at a program for people with dementia. AARP Massachusetts says those services should receive adequate funding. — Photo by Yoon S. Byun

Doctors advised Roxbury resident Thomas Martin, 77, not to leave his wife alone because of her dementia. But with his own health problems, including prostate cancer, Martin found it hard to care for his wife all day, every day.

Joyce Martin, 78, initially resisted her family's solution: a few days a week in an adult day health program. But now she wants to go every day.

See also: What you need to know about caregiving.

More than 11,500 older people are served by roughly 140 adult day health services programs statewide, said Darcey Adams, president of the Massachusetts Adult Day Services Association (MADSA). She predicts the demand for such programs will rise in the coming years.

AARP Massachusetts is watching closely to ensure that sufficient money is allocated for adult day health services when the legislature adopts the budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1.

"With five consecutive years of state budget revenue shortfalls, programs that serve seniors in this commonwealth have been hit hard. Many have been cut to the bone," said Deborah Banda, AARP Massachusetts state director.

"At the same time, need continues to increase due in part to the tough economy but also because of the growing aging population."

Up to 8 hours of care daily

Adult day programs provide six to eight hours of supervised care in group settings. Services include transportation, health assessments, occupational and speech therapy, exercise, meals and social work.

MassHealth, the state's Medicaid program, reimbursed facilities for services to more than 8,000 clients last year, according to MADSA. The reimbursement rate ranges from $54 to $69 a day, depending on the level of care, though Adams said 74 percent of adult day programs do not break even and must solicit donations to fully support them.

Next: Program delays a move to a nursing home. »