AUBURN – Clover Health Care will shut down its adult day care program next month in an effort to save money.

“We’ve never made any money. Usually, we’ve lost money on the program. And we’re in a position now where we really need to be maximizing our income in whatever ways we can,” said Administrator Cindy Quinlan.

Clover’s adult day care program opened in the early 1980s and is licensed for 12 people. Some attend every day and others attend more sporadically. The program averages four or five elderly people per day, most too frail or sick to stay home alone while their family members work or otherwise can’t care for them.

The program runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and a driver picks up and drops off participants. During the day, clients share stories, talk about current events, participate in activities and entertainment and have lunch and a snack at the facility.

Clover charged $10.80 an hour for the care, the maximum amount reimbursed by MaineCare. With two staff members, a driver and food to pay for, the program did not make money, Quinlan said.

It will end March 27. Participants and their families were notified last week.

“The sad thing is there aren’t a lot of other options in this area for that level of care. Even throughout the state there are very few adult day service programs,” Quinlan said. “A lot of facilities have tried doing it and I think they have closed for the same reason: It’s just not economically feasible.”

Including Clover, there are about 20 state-licensed adult day-care programs in Maine. When Clover’s program ends, the closest remaining ones will be in Portland, Canton, Brunswick and Topsham, according to the state.

Five of Clover’s day care clients receive MaineCare, said John Martins, spokesman for the Maine Department of Health and Human Services. The state will work with SeniorsPlus to find those people similar support services. Maine pays for about 70 adults to receive day care statewide.

Quinlan said the adult day care program is the only one Clover is ending.