Board and Care Homes or a Larger Assisted Living Community ? Which is the right fit for Mom or Dad ?

Well, look at it this way – today we have some great choices!

Board & Care homes are a senior assisted care home in a neighborhood, licensed by the state as a Residential Care Facility for the Elderly to offer care, supervision and a social environment. There are up to six residents that reside in the home. Medications are managed, incontinence care is done by at least two registered nurses at all time. Assistance with dressing, bathing and grooming, etc. is offered. Some homes are dedicated to Memory Impairment while others may cater to a higher functioning group. Others have a mixed population. As you visit the homes and communities, you’ll develop a comfort level on what might be best for your loved one. Anita and Jennifer will offer guidance to help keep this decision practical yet compassionate.

There are far more Board and Care homes than Assisted Living communities in any given city throughout California.

In the last 20 years the need for senior housing care has generated this growth. One can find a Board & Care home in just about every city or small town throughout Southern California. We take pride in having strong relationships with the homes to which we refer families. Since there are generally only up to six residents per home, it is especially important to know the sort of ambience and feel of the homes since a departure of one or two residents can greatly affect the home.

Let Jennifer and Anita share their very specific information about these Board and Care homes. We visit them and speak to them frequently on openings, rates, and level of functionality at the homes.

How to choose when Board and Care homes are appropriate.

We advise families to consider the Board & Care Homes path in several situations:

When a loved one is very shy or not very social, or just a “homebody”, a smaller “homey” environment may be easier to transition into.
When a loved one will need a high level of care. With a ratio of 2:6, caregiver to resident, you can feel very assured of the care and speed to which assistance is given to the resident.
When the senior is a “fall-risk”, and needs extra help getting from room to room.
When the senior has some condition that requires a high level of supervision.

Board and Care homes can offer that cozy “homelike” feel that can really make a difference in one’s life.

These homes have furniture one would find in their own home, as opposed to an institutional type setting. Many have tiled floors, outdoor gardens, gazebos and barbecues. Even a cat or dog walking around. Each board and care home has it's own unique flavor and style.

Board and Care homes also usually accomodate Hospice as well as any Home Health directive ordered by one’s doctor. One can usually continue any Physical Therapy started at a Skilled Nursing Facility due to a fall, for example, at a Board and Care home.