mardi 25 mars 2014

The Board & Care Option For Seniors

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.

There are several names used to identify a board and care home, such as a residential group home or residential care home or perhaps an adult family home. At any rate, these homes are usually actual private residences that can accommodate about six people at any given time. The monthly rates, which usually are lower that assisted living communities, include meal service, housekeeping, laundry and also daily assistance with grooming and dressing, as well as helping with medication management, toileting and bathing.

Currently, there are more than 52,000 board and care homes in the United States serving about 1.2 million adults. In California, these homes are regulated by the California Department of Social Services and must be licensed. They also are subject to inspections but only once every five years. While there are many excellent residential care homes, it is important to note that elder abuse is a common problem not just in board & care homes, but with any type of eldercare. There are ways to ensure that your parent or loved one is receiving the highest standard of care.

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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