Board & Care: Understanding This Type Of Eldercare

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By Kristana Jenson


When searching for eldercare, you will find that there are plenty of options available, but they aren't all exactly what you need or what you can manage financially. For example, assisted living homes have a lot to offer in terms of social activities, comfort and amenities, but they come with a high price tag. A nursing home might be affordable but can be institutional and sparse. A board and care home is another option to consider, one that can be fairly budget friendly but have more ambiance and hominess than a nursing home.

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.

Ensuring safety begins with that first tour of the home. Print out a big checklist that helps you complete your own personal inspection and jot down your first impressions. It is important to watch as residents interact with staff and each other. This can be a big clue about the quality of the home. If people seem happy and friendly with each other, this is a good sign. Also check out the quality of the home itself, the dcor, the level of repair and look for safety features. The bathrooms should be very clean and equipped with bars and safety aids. There needs to be a way for residents to call staff easily at any time of the day or night.

Don't be shy about asking many questions. Ask about medication management and how health problems and emergencies are handled. Ask about the food and ask for examples of typical meals and what types of ingredients are used. Ask about activities that are planned or available and ask about how easy it will be to access your loved one, either by visiting, taking them on excursions or just calling them up on the phone.

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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