Tucked discretely into regular neighborhoods, residential care homes provide non-medical custodial care for elderly adults. Typically in a single family residence, residential care homes usually serve between two and ten residents, depending on specific state laws. They offer a home-like setting for people who need assisted living but might be intimidated by larger communities.
Services Provided in a Residential Care Home
Also called board and care homes, adult family homes, and residential care facilities for the elderly (RCFE) this is a live-in housing and care option for people who do not have skilled medical needs. Generally, a residential care home provides the following:
- A room, either private or shared
- Meals
- Varying levels of assistance with daily living activities, such as toileting, bathing, and even money and health care management
- Custodial care, such as laundry, housekeeping, and transportation to doctor appointments
- Medication administering.
These adult family homes are great for people who are looking for a smaller-home-like setting. They will eat home-cooked meals in the kitchen or dining room. The home will typically have a front porch or back porch and garden. And, they will offer lots of one-on-one tender loving care.
Community
This family-like atmosphere is fostered by a high staff-to-patient ratio, which is typically higher than the same ratio in a nursing home or assisted living community. Most often there is one caregiver for every three or four residents.
For seniors who are very active, though, a residential care home may not offer enough stimulation. A larger assisted living community has a wider menu of social activities, such as on-site aerobics or outings to nearby events. A residential care home is a better fit for an individual who can benefit from more individual care.
What Are The Homes Like
Just as every house on a block is different, residential care homes are not all styled the same. Some are modest, while others feature crystal chandeliers and granite countertops. People typically feel more comfortable in a home that resembles one they’ve spent their life in. The Family Advisors at Senior Living Options of the Desert can help in matching your loved one to a care home that would best suit their needs.
Adult family homes are run by all kinds of individuals, from registered nurses to recent immigrants. Sometimes the homeowner lives in the facility, while others are run like a business with shifts of caregivers. They may have nursing oversight, but the nurse is not onsite at all times. Because residential care homes vary so greatly, it’s vital to assess the needs of the future resident, deciding if they need around-the-clock staff attention, for example. It’s also important to visit several homes, comparing and contrasting to find the best fit.
Researching potential adult family homes for loved ones is complicated by the fact that there are no federal standards for these communities. Each state follows its own regulations and licensing rules. (Some states have no set standards.) For states that license residential care homes, surveys on each home are available at local licensing offices. Homes usually must provide this survey if asked by potential clients.
What You Can Expect To Pay
The price tag for a living in a residential care community is often half the cost of nursing home care, and in some states, it is even more affordable than assisted living community care. Although prices vary vastly, care usually costs $3,500 to $4,500 per month, although some cost as little as $1,500 each month. Some charge $5,000 to $6,000 per month; these are typically homes that specialize in dementia care.
Some long-term care insurance policies pay for residential care home costs. Medicaid-health insurance that helps pay for medical and long-term care for people with low income-often covers fees for people who can’t afford the cost of private care. Most residences don’t accept Medicaid at all. Since Medicare doesn’t pay for custodial care, it doesn’t usually cover residential care home fees.
Is a Residential Care Home Right For You?
This type of care home is a good fit for many elderly adults. Many of them can provide care until the end of a life, and helps residents feel like they are living in their own homes.
Please contact a Family Advisor at Senior Living Options of the Desert for more information. Our services are always free.
About Senior Living Options of the Desert
Senior Living Options of the Desert is Southern California’s leader in senior living referral. We’ve been helping families find compassionate care for their loved ones since 2004.
Whether you’re looking for independent living, assisted living, memory care, or another form of senior care, our local family advisors will help you find the right option for you and your family. Our mission is to provide families with the best residential care options based on care needs and location, no matter what the budget. And, our services are always FREE.
You can get more information at www.seniorlivingoptionsofthedesert.com.
