mercredi 26 mars 2014

Board And Care Facilities For Older Adults

By Kristana Jenson


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.

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 want to search for a suitable board and care option, consider contacting the staff at CarePlacement.com or another similar service. They have screened a wide variety of homes throughout the San Diego area and can provide you with a list of homes or facilities that suits your budget and needs. In addition to helping find board and care, they also can help you find a nursing home, in-home care or perhaps an assisted living apartment.




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