FAQ
What is Board and Care?
Board and care homes, also known as residential care homes, group homes, or adult foster care homes, are a type of assisted living facility that offers personal assistance with basic daily tasks. This small and intimate community allows residents to live in their own private room or share a room with one other resident. They often tend to be set up in a home-like setting in a single-family home with around 6 beds and public areas for everyone to share. Board and care homes are beneficial for people who need help with typical day-to-day activities but want to maintain their independence.
What services are provided at a board and care home?
The services provided at a board and care home are similar to those provided at an assisted living community, but in a home setting. Staff in a residential care home help with a wide variety of personal services. The owner or manager of the home often lives there with the residents.
Assistance with the Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). These daily activities may include bathing, dressing, grooming, eating, helping with medical equipment, and transferring, depending on the medical needs of the resident.
Medication Management. Many senior residents have complex medication regimens. Typically, the staff helps with the storage and dispensing of medication, though in some states, the non-certified staff is only allowed to give residents reminders to take their medications.
Meals. Senior residents don't have to prepare their own meals. Most residential care homes are willing and able to accommodate any special dietary needs you or your loved one might have. They often plan menus based on the preferences of the residents.
Social Activities. Board and care homes are far less likely to offer a wide menu of activities than other types of senior living options. They may encourage residents to enjoy movies or games together, or they may take residents to nearby senior centers for activities.
Transportation. Board and care homes typically provide transportation to medical appointments. They may also provide transportation for errands and group outings.
Housekeeping. Included in the monthly cost for room and board is also housekeeping services. These include cleaning both the common areas and residents' private rooms and bathrooms.
What are the benefits of living in a board and care home?
Residential care homes offer some unique benefits to their residents. With a smaller size and more hands-on approach, these facilities can provide the best of both worlds: they can give each resident one-on-one time while also being large enough for activities with other residents or visitors. Of course, it’s not always easy when it comes down to deciding what type of facility is right for your loved ones. We'll go over all the benefits in detail below so you have a better understanding before making that final decision.
Safety: Since board and care homes have a smaller community with more personalized care it is easier for the employees to spot an emergency. Having extra measures in place such as alarms and alert systems make it safer to live in this community as opposed to aging in place.
Personal Care: Residents in board and care homes receive more one-on-one attention than those at assisted living facilities. Though there are fewer employees, there are also fewer residents. The staff has the opportunity to give each resident even more time and energy because of their smaller workload. This reduces the risk that a health change or illness will go unnoticed.
Family Engagement: Having a more intimate staff size and fewer residents in the home can provide families with easy access to their loved one’s care. This direct relationship between family members and managers will allow for peace of mind while ensuring that your parents are being taken good care of as they age.
Independence: Board and care homes provide the independence seniors want while giving them the assistance they need to live their lives on their own terms. Board and care homes are also less restrictive than other types of communities for any resident who wants the freedom to pursue what interests them without feeling like they’re limited by day-long activity schedules.
Location: Board and care homes provide an environment that's more welcoming to seniors who are used to living in rural and suburban neighborhoods. Residents of these care homes typically live the lifestyle they're accustomed to, as their surroundings don't feel too foreign compared with what they already know so well.
How many levels of care to you have?
Ambulatory
Non Ambulatory
Dementia
Hospice