About a decade ago, a nurse I know tried to start an adult day care center in my town. I thought it sounded like a good idea, though I wasn't sure there was a market for it. I'd contracted some in-home care for my uncle and mother-in-law, and enough nursing home care for several family members- but adult day care was a new concept for me.

My friend's efforts with the day care failed, perhaps because, like me, no one was familiar with the idea. When I asked her about it afterwards she said...