The Board & Care Option For Seniors
There are many different kinds of eldercare, including options such as hiring in-home caregivers or setting up residence in a nursing home or assisted living community. Often, our budget is what directs us to a specific type of eldercare option. For those who need care but wish to be in an environment that feels more like being at home, a board and care facility might be the best option.
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.
Board & care facilities are quite common in the United States, and there are about 52,000 of these homes in the country serving as many as 1.2 million Americans. In California, the Department of Social Services is responsible for inspecting and monitoring these homes and ensuring that there is a license in place. Keep in mind, however, that inspections are required only every five years unless there has been a previous violation. While many homes are very well managed, some are not and elder abuse can be a problem in board & care homes as well as any other eldercare facility. It is important for loved ones to look for signs of elder abuse and take quick action.
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.
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.
Board & care facilities are quite common in the United States, and there are about 52,000 of these homes in the country serving as many as 1.2 million Americans. In California, the Department of Social Services is responsible for inspecting and monitoring these homes and ensuring that there is a license in place. Keep in mind, however, that inspections are required only every five years unless there has been a previous violation. While many homes are very well managed, some are not and elder abuse can be a problem in board & care homes as well as any other eldercare facility. It is important for loved ones to look for signs of elder abuse and take quick action.
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.
About the Author:
Kristana Jenson likes reading home health care blogs. To get additional information about assisted living Rancho San Diego facilities or for expert help finding board and care Valley Center services, please go to the CarePlacement website today.