FAQs

Yes. Riverwalk Adult Day Services is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (FEIN 36-3239717). Because Riverwalk is a nonprofit rather than a for-profit care company, daily rates stay well below the cost of comparable private care, and donations are tax-deductible.

Riverwalk has served Naperville families for more than 40 years. The organization was founded in 1983 as Ecumenical Adult Care, created by 15 local religious institutions that saw a gap in daytime care for older adults. It was renamed Riverwalk Adult Day Services in 2018 and has delivered more than 800,000 hours of care. In September 2023 Riverwalk launched the Recreational Programs for neurodivergent adults from 18-59 operating out of Grace United Methodist Church. 

Riverwalk offers two separate programs at two separate locations.

Senior Services serves older adults who need supervision, nursing oversight and social engagement during the day — including people living with Alzheimer’s, dementia, Parkinson’s, stroke recovery or fall risk. Monday through Friday, 7:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Half day programs up to 5 hours are available as well as drop in options for senrios enrolled in the program. 

Recreational Services serves adults ages 18 to 59 with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including Down syndrome and autism. It launched in September 2023, largely to serve young adults who had aged out of school-based programming at 22. Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Riverwalk operates from two Naperville locations:

• Senior Services — Alfred Rubin Riverwalk Community Center, 305 W. Jackson Ave., Naperville, IL 60540
• Recreational Services — Grace United Methodist Church, 300 E. Gartner Rd., Naperville, IL 60540

Both sites are in central Naperville, in DuPage County.

Riverwalk primarily serves Naperville and the surrounding DuPage, Kane and Will County communities, including Lisle, Aurora, Wheaton, Warrenville, Bolingbrook, Plainfield and others.

There is no residency requirement — families from surrounding counties are welcome, and transportation options may extend the practical service area. Most participants come from a 30 minute commute, but some participant caregivers who work in the service area drive from significantly farther.

Hours differ by program. Senior Services operates Monday through Friday, 7:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Recreational Services operates Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Riverwalk does not currently offer weekend, overnight, or 24-hour care.

Riverwalk regularly serves participants living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, stroke recovery, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, arthritis and general fall risk. The center holds a Dementia Friendly designation, and registered nurses are on staff to manage day-to-day medical needs. Conditions are evaluated individually during intake — the question is always whether Riverwalk can meet that person’s needs safely in a group setting.

To participate in Senior Services, an individual must:

• Be over 18 years old
• Be able to manage their own toileting, with bowel and bladder control
• Be free from communicable diseases
• Be able to engage positively in a group setting
• Be able to transfer unassisted

These requirements exist because Riverwalk is a social day program with nursing support, not a skilled nursing facility. If a loved one falls outside these criteria, the intake team can often point families toward a more appropriate level of care.

Yes. Registered nurses are on staff at the Senior Services program and provide medication administration, blood sugar checks, oxygen treatments and general health monitoring throughout the day. This is a meaningful difference from senior centers or social clubs, and it is often what allows a family to keep a parent at home rather than moving to assisted living. All staff complete annual training and background checks.

Activities change roughly every half hour to keep participants engaged and stimulated. A typical day includes morning coffee and socializing, chair exercises, trivia, music, lunch, walks, and a rotation of active and quieter games such as bingo, bags and horseshoes. The program also includes arts and crafts, musical entertainment and periodic outings. The rhythm is deliberate — short, varied blocks hold attention far better than long unstructured stretches, particularly for participants with dementia. The Senior Services Program operates with a minimum 1 staff to 6 participant ratio.

Dietitian-created lunch is included for participants who are present during the lunch period, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The daily fee also covers beverages throughout the day, an afternoon snack, and all supplies for activities. For many participants, this is the one hot, balanced meal of the day eaten in company rather than alone — which matters for both nutrition and mood.

• Full day — $100 – ($12 / hour)
• Half day — $80 – ($16 / hour)
• Drop-in (for active Participants) — $20 per hour,  with a two-hour minimum and 24-hour notice

There are no enrollment fees or long-term contracts, and families pay only for the days they use. For comparison, in-home care in the Chicago suburbs typically runs $30 to $40 per hour, which puts an eight-hour day well above Riverwalk’s full-day rate — without the socialization, nursing oversight or activity programming. And for families who qualify, the Illinois Community Care Program (CCP) can provide services at zero out-of-pocket cost. 

According to the CareScout 2025 Cost of Care Survey, which analyzed senior care pricing across Illinois, families are facing these median annual costs:

• In-Home Care (Non-Medical): ~$82,368/year (approximately $35/hour for professional caregiving services)
• Assisted Living Community: ~$72,645/year
• Nursing Home (Private Room): ~$110,595/year

https://destinyhealthcareservices.com/senior-care/understanding-home-care-costs-illinois/

In Illinois, school-based special education services end at age 22, and for most families the drop-off is abrupt — the bus simply stops coming. Riverwalk’s Recreational Services program launched in September 2023 to fill exactly that gap, offering weekday structure, peers and community activity for adults who still have decades of life ahead of them. Start planning 12 to 18 months before the 22nd birthday. Waitlists, funding applications and state processes take longer than families expect, and the transition is far smoother when a program is already in place.

The program runs 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and centers on active, social engagement rather than desk work. A typical week includes active games that support physical and mental well-being, arts and crafts, music and dance sessions, pet visits, community volunteering, daily living skills support, and planned outings and field trips. Community outings are a deliberate feature, not an occasional treat — being out in Naperville is part of the point. The Recreational Services Program operates with a minimum 1 staff to 6 participant ratio.

Recreational Services is $80 per day for the full 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. program. The fee covers beverages throughout the day, all activity supplies, and transportation to and from community outings. Scheduling is arranged monthly, so families can build a schedule that fits their needs.

Participants bring a sack lunch from home. Riverwalk provides beverages throughout the day. Bringing lunch from home keeps the daily rate lower and accommodates individual dietary needs and preferences. During some outings, participants have a choice to purchase lunch while in the community.

Yes. Transportation is available for free through the Pace Vehicle Program during community outings. Transportation to and from the center is the responsibility of the caregiver; however, the intake team can help families sort out the right transportation arrangements during enrollment if needed.

Yes. Community engagement and volunteerism is a core part of Recreational Services. Participants access community organizations and volunteer for projects around Naperville — a meaningful distinction, because it positions clients as active participants and contributors to the community rather than only recipients of services. Families consistently name this as one of the program’s most valuable elements.

For participants:

• Friendship and peer connection at a life stage when social circles often shrink dramatically
• Continued skill-building through activities, outings, and volunteer work
• Community presence — regular time in Naperville and surrounding areas, not confined at home
• Physical activity through active games, exercise, dance, and movement
• Purpose and contribution through volunteering
• Routine and identity — somewhere to go, something to do, people who expect you

For families and caregivers:

• Reliable weekday hours that make employment possible for parents and siblings
• Respite from full-time caregiving, on a predictable schedule
• Peace of mind that their adult child is safe, engaged, and supervised by trained staff
• A community of other families navigating the same transition

Recreational Services is staffed by trained activity coordinators and assistants who plan and lead programming and accompany participants on community outings. All staff complete annual training and background checks. The recreational program has a 1 to 6 staffing ratio.

Yes, Riverwalk accepts Medicaid. Riverwalk is also approved through the Illinois Department on Aging and the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), which opens several state funding pathways. Eligibility depends on individual circumstances, and the intake team can walk families through which programs may apply.

Yes. Riverwalk participates in the Illinois Community Care Program (CCP), a state program administered through the Illinois Department on Aging that helps qualifying low-income older adults pay for in-home and community-based services — including adult day care — as an alternative to nursing home placement. Eligibility is determined through a state assessment, and Riverwalk’s intake team can help families start that process.

Yes. Riverwalk is contracted with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and is VA-approved. Veterans may be eligible to have adult day services covered through VA benefits. Families should mention veteran status during the intake appointment so the team can help pursue that route.

In most cases, yes. Long-term care insurance policies typically cover adult day services, though coverage details, elimination periods, and daily benefit caps vary by policy. Riverwalk can provide the documentation most carriers require. Families should check their policy’s adult day care provisions and confirm any waiting-period requirements before enrolling.

Riverwalk is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and keeping care affordable for Naperville families is central to its mission — which is why daily rates run well below private-pay alternatives. Families who do not qualify for CCP, Medicaid, VA, or GUIDE funding should still speak with the intake team about available options. Riverwalk also relies on community donations and fundraising events to keep rates accessible.

Yes, and Riverwalk encourages it. Families are welcome to tour either location before enrolling. Seeing the space, meeting staff, and watching a session in progress answers questions a website never can — particularly for families who have never considered adult day care before. Call 630-357-8166 to arrange a visit.

For Senior Services: any medications needed during the day in original labeled containers, a completed medication list, emergency contact information, and a change of clothes if appropriate.

For Recreational Services: a sack lunch, plus medications and emergency contacts as applicable. The intake team provides a complete checklist before the first day.

Riverwalk welcomes volunteers in several roles across both programs:

• Activity Center Companion — join participants in table games and group activities, flexible scheduling
• Lunchtime Supporter — help with setup, serving, and cleanup, 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. weekly
• Recreational Services Volunteer — support participants in games, activities, and community outings
• Performing Arts Enthusiast — share musical talents, ideally once a month
• Pet Therapy Partner — bring a gentle, certified pet with current health certifications
• Enriching Presenter — deliver 30-minute presentations on topics of interest

Bilingual volunteers, particularly Spanish and Polish speakers, are especially appreciated. Complete the volunteer form at form.jotform.com/233038887828269 or call 630-357-8166.

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Riverwalk depends on community support to keep daily rates affordable. Families and community members can make a tax-deductible donation, contribute items from the Wish List, volunteer, attend or sponsor fundraising events such as Bingo, BBQ and Bluegrass, or simply refer a family who needs help.

• Phone — 630-357-8166
• Fax — 630-357-3260
• Email Address – [email protected]
• Senior Services — Alfred Rubin Riverwalk Community Center, 305 W. Jackson Ave., Naperville, IL 60540. Monday through Friday, 7:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Recreational Services — Grace United Methodist Church, 300 E. Gartner Rd., Naperville, IL 60540. Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.