Advancing the Evidence Base for Adult Day Services: A New Five-Year Research Agenda for 2026–2031

BackgroundAdult day services (ADS) provide care and social support for adults with complex health needs, yet they remain an understudied long-term care sector whose impact on patient outcomes is unclear.ObjectiveTo inform an updated research agenda that supports a coordinated approach to measuring impact of ADS and gaps in services in an evolving policy landscape.MethodsWe convened 32 stakeholders in partnership with the National Adult Day Services Association. Following a pre-convening evidence review, a facilitated discussion took place. Rapid qualitative synthesis of notes was used to identify themes and consensus priorities.ResultsParticipants' priority was strengthening data infrastructure. They wished to leverage data to identify workforce shortages, implement evidence-based interventions, advance policymaker understanding of ADS, and address uneven reimbursements. The agenda prioritizes standardizing outcome measures, supporting workforce capacity, and translating research into policy. These stakeholder-informed priorities can guide research and policy to demonstrate impact and expand access to ADS.