Tuesday 18 March 2014

Board & Care: Understanding This Type Of Eldercare

By Kristana Jenson


While there are many options out there for eldercare, not every type is what you might need or what you can afford comfortably. An assisted care living home might be too expensive and a nursing home might seem too impersonal. For an atmosphere that feels more like a comfortable and inviting home, a board and care house might be the best fit. These homes often offer plenty of amenities and a high enough level of care to suit your needs and your sensibilities.

These board & care facilities are generally located in a private home and can accommodate perhaps five to seven adults at most. They also are called adult group homes or sometimes residential care homes. They typically are less expensive than an assisted living facility but still include many of the same amenities, such as daily help with grooming, bathing and dressing as well as full meal service, housekeeping and perhaps laundry services. In addition, there is always a caregiver on site to help the residents at any time night or day.

Throughout the country, there are more than 50,000 private residential care homes, and about 8,000 of these are located in California. While the homes are required to be licensed and regulated by our state's Department of Social Services, inspections occur only about every five years, so it is quite important to carefully inspect the homes you are considering. After all, elder abuse does occur and it's a serious problem. Loved ones need to look for red flags that will alert them to problems or potential problems.

Ensuring safety begins with that first tour of the home. Print out a big checklist that helps you complete your own personal inspection and jot down your first impressions. It is important to watch as residents interact with staff and each other. This can be a big clue about the quality of the home. If people seem happy and friendly with each other, this is a good sign. Also check out the quality of the home itself, the dcor, the level of repair and look for safety features. The bathrooms should be very clean and equipped with bars and safety aids. There needs to be a way for residents to call staff easily at any time of the day or night.

The biggest mistake you can make is not asking tough questions. You are paying for this service and you want a high level of care, so ask about everything. You need to know how medical issues are handled and how medication is managed. You need to know about the meal situation and how allergies or personal tastes are accommodated. Ask about transportation and if there is any available. Also ask about activities both at the home and off the premises. Inquire about phone calls and visits and when it is appropriate for family to come by the home.

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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