Care Homes, also known as adult family homes

Most older adults prefer aging in place. However, there comes a time when they would need hands-on assistance for their health and personal care. Fortunately, there is an alternative: Care Homes. A care home, also known as an adult family home, residential or personal care homes, is a “home away from home”. It provides personal care assistance, a nurturing environment for aging adults, and a comfortable space without the institutional setting. Care Homes Oceanside

Care homes are residential communities for seniors who need assistance in their day-to-day tasks. Residents in care homes are usually significantly smaller with ten or fewer seniors. The small size is a welcoming feature for seniors who are shy, prefer to keep to themselves, or in need of closer assistance.

1. Residential care homes: family ambiance

As mentioned above, the population in care homes are much fewer in comparison with nursing and retirement homes. In this set-up, care homes provide a more home-like family setting for their residents. The small group setting is also ample for residents who need more one-on-one attention.

In the family ambience you can find in care homes, food services and assistance with daily living are provided for intimate care. However, just like in real, typical homes, residential care homes don’t have a medical professional on-site. Instead, access to medical services are offered and scheduled in a part-time set-up that must be arranged with the management.

Adding to the family ambience, care home residences are typically located in traditional neighborhoods. Seniors who have always lived in rural and suburban areas may prefer this environment over the area in which one would find a large apartment complex-style community.

2. Cost of care homes

Living in care homes is much more affordable compared to large nursing home care. Care homes and assisted living facilities are similar in price because they offer a similar level of care. Although, there are some states where care homes are cheaper than assisted living. In general, the cost of care homes depend on the following factors: location, amenities, number of staff, and the types of services that are needed by the residents.

According to Gemworth, care home costs could range from $1,500 to $4,500, depending on the services needed and room privacy. For instance, dementia care would need specialized services and may cost more. Shared rooms could be cheaper as well with $2,200, while a private room could be around $3,400 a month.

In budgeting for care homes, it is important to note the financial assistance that you could access and maximize. Some common financial assistance that you could look at are benefit programs for veterans, life insurance, long-term care insurance, Medicaid (in some states), and reverse mortgages.

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3. Services offered in residential care homes

Residential care homes provide supervised and personal care, meal preparations, social activities and health management. These are a good fit for seniors who need assistance in their day-to-day activities but don’t require strict medical care. A care home focuses on more individual, home-setting care, unlike assisted living communities where activities and programs could be extensive such as aerobics sessions and field trips.

The exact roster of services in care homes vary, but some of the most common include:

  • Comfortable private or shared rooms
  • Home-cooked daily meals, in which dietary limitations are observed
  • Housekeeping services and laundry
  • Companion care
  • Some planned social programs and group activities
  • Medication management and part-time medical services
  • Supervision and emergency assistance

Because of the smaller communities in care homes and the family-type housing, care homes have limited amenities to offer. However, residents can still find these relaxing, enjoyable, and an opportunity to develop lasting friendships. All care homes are different, so it is important to understand their general amenities and structures when considering a facility for you or your loved ones.

​​4. Residential care home definitions

Care homes have many different names such as “residential care homes”, “adult family homes”, “board and care homes”, and “personal care homes”. These are often used to describe a certain community or facility, but the general theme is that these provide lodging, prepared meals, and assistance in daily living. Care Homes Oceanside

These terms may or may not reflect official state requirements concerning licensing and certification, level of care, and the certain services provided. When you’re searching for the best care home for your loved one, we recommend that you request to see their state license or to contact your state’s licensing authority for clarifications on the license type, level of care, and services that they are authorized and recognized to provide. Care Homes Oceanside

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