Senior Care Options

Residential care homes are private homes that typically serve residents who live together and receive care from live-in caretakers. These senior living communities offer assisted care services for seniors who want a more private, home-like community. Assistance with activities of daily living such as bathing and dressing are typically provided. Amenities and nursing services vary greatly between homes. Ask about their services when you tour.

Also Known As:

• Board and Care Homes
• Group Homes
• Adult Family Homes

Payment Sources:

• Private Pay
• Medicaid
• Long Term care Insurance
• VA Aide & Attendance Benefits

Price Range:

• $1500-$4000 per month depending on the services and level of care provided

Residential Care Homes: Family Ambiance

Residential care homes offer a smaller, more home-like family setting for seniors. These senior living apartments offer food services and assistance with daily living, but do not typically have a medical professional on-site. Limited, part-time medical care is offered, but it’s not a primary focus of this type of senior living community.

Senior living communities are typically located in traditional homes and neighborhoods and provide care for fewer patients than assisted living communities. It is uncommon for a care home to offer services for more than 10 seniors; which helps create the more personal, home-style living environment.

Cost of Care Homes

Living in a residential care home is often half the cost of nursing home care, and in some states, it is even more affordable than assisted living care. However, cost can vary depending on the geographical location of the residential care home, as well as, the types of services needed. In home care can cost anywhere from $1,500 a month to $4,500 each month; and dementia care can cost even more.

Cost can also vary depending on room privacy. According to Genworth.com, a residential care home typically runs $2,200 a month for a shared bedroom and $3,400 a month for a private bedroom. Most residential care homes have private rooms available for their residents, as well, as shared rooms.

Services Offered in Residential Care Homes

Residential care homes offer supervised care, meals, activities and health management. While assisted living communities may offer extensive activities, such as senior aerobics and field trips, a care home is a better fit for someone who needs more individual, home-setting care.

Here are some of the basic services offered in care homes:

• Comfortable private, or semi-private, rooms
• 1-to-3 daily, home cooked meals
• Housekeeping and laundry service
• Medication management
• Social programs and activities
• Transportation to doctor’s appointments

Residential Care Home Definitions

The terms “residential care homes,” “adult family homes,” “board and care homes,” and “personal care homes” are industry terms to describe certain communities and/or facilities. These terms may or may not reflect official state requirements concerning licensing, level of care, and/or the services that are provided. We recommend that when considering these communities and/or facilities you request to see their state license and/or contact your state’s licensing authority for clarification on license type, level of care, and/or the services that are provided.