Board And Care Facilities For Older Adults

| Sunday, March 2, 2014
By Kristana Jenson


While there are many options out there for eldercare, not every type is what you might need or what you can afford comfortably. An assisted care living home might be too expensive and a nursing home might seem too impersonal. For an atmosphere that feels more like a comfortable and inviting home, a board and care house might be the best fit. These homes often offer plenty of amenities and a high enough level of care to suit your needs and your sensibilities.

Board and care homes also are sometimes known as residential care homes or adult family homes. These homes provide housing for a small group of adults, typically six people or less. In addition to lodging, the rates generally include all of your meals and snacks as well as some level of care. This might include grooming, bathing, toileting and dressing as well as housekeeping and laundry services. These types of facilities also always have a caregiver on the premises to help whenever they are needed.

Throughout the country, there are more than 50,000 private residential care homes, and about 8,000 of these are located in California. While the homes are required to be licensed and regulated by our state's Department of Social Services, inspections occur only about every five years, so it is quite important to carefully inspect the homes you are considering. After all, elder abuse does occur and it's a serious problem. Loved ones need to look for red flags that will alert them to problems or potential problems.

Your first step will be to inspect the board and care facility carefully. Bring along a checklist and take notes. Take a look at the other residents and see if they appear well cared for and well groomed and happy. Also be aware of the interactions between the staff and the residents. Look at the house and bedrooms and check for safety features, cleanliness and the general level of repair. Check out the bathrooms and look for cleanliness and safety.

The worst mistake you can make is simply not asking questions. You have a right to know how the home works. You have a right to know and how medications and medical emergencies are handled. You also should ask about food and amenities and social activities as well as the protocol for visiting. If the staff or management seems impatient about answering your questions, then find another facility.

If you would like to begin a search for any type of eldercare option, it can helpful to use a service that matches seniors to a good eldercare match. CarePlacement.com, for example, has extensive lists of carefully screened facilities that range from assisted living communities to board & care homes to skilled nursing facilities. Simply fill out their questionnaire that describes your care needs and budgetary restrictions and they can provide you with a list of suitable places to consider.




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