Top Benefits of Choosing Board and Care Homes for Seniors

As your loved ones age, ensuring they receive the care they need becomes a top priority. Watching parents or other family members experience physical or cognitive decline can be difficult, but making sure they have the proper support to live in a safe environment and maintain the best possible quality of life is essential.

Navigating the wide range of senior living options can feel overwhelming. You're likely familiar with assisted living facilities, memory care, and nursing homes. You may also know about in-home caregivers who provide support. However, one option that combines personalized care with a warm, homelike setting is the Board and Care home.

Board and Care homes, also known as residential care homes or group homes, are residential settings that provide housing, personal care, and assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) for seniors. Typically located in traditional residential neighborhoods, these facilities often accommodate a small number of residents, usually between two and ten, fostering a close-knit, family-like atmosphere.

Services Provided by Board and Care Homes

Board and Care homes offer a range of services tailored to meet the individual needs of their residents:

Personal Care Assistance: Support with ADLs such as bathing, dressing, grooming, and mobility.
Medication Management: Ensuring residents take their medications correctly and on time.
Meal Preparation: Nutritious home-cooked meals accommodating dietary restrictions and preferences
Housekeeping and Laundry: Regular cleaning and laundry services to maintain a comfortable living environment.
Social and Recreational Activities: Opportunities for engagement to promote mental and emotional well-being.
24-Hour Supervision: Staff available around the clock to assist with emergencies and provide continuous care.

These services are designed to support seniors who may not require intensive medical care but need assistance with daily tasks to maintain their quality of life.

Benefits of Board and Care Homes

Choosing a Board and Care home for your loved one offers several advantages:

Personalized Attention: With a lower staff-to-resident ratio, caregivers can provide individualized care tailored to each resident's needs.
Homelike Environment: The residential setting for some people can be more comforting and less intimidating than larger institutional facilities, helping residents feel more at ease.
Cost-Effective Care: Board and Care homes can be a more affordable option compared to larger assisted living facilities or nursing homes, offering similar services at a lower cost.
Community and Companionship: The intimate setting encourages social interaction, reducing feelings of isolation and promoting a sense of belonging.

How Board and Care Homes Assist with Daily Living Activities

For seniors struggling with daily activities, Board and Care homes provide essential support:

Assistance with ADLs: Caregivers help residents with personal hygiene, dressing, and mobility, ensuring they maintain their dignity and independence as much as possible.
Nutritional Support: Regular, balanced meals are provided, taking into account any dietary needs, which is crucial for maintaining health.
Medication Oversight: Proper medication management prevents missed doses or potential drug interactions, safeguarding residents' health.
Safe Living Environment: Homes are designed to be accessible and safe, minimizing the risk of falls or accidents.
Emotional Well-being: Engaging activities and social interactions are organized to keep residents mentally stimulated and emotionally satisfied.

Does Insurance Pay for Board and Care Homes

Health insurance, including Medicare and supplemented, only pays for short-term skilled care. Most skilled care is provided in a nursing home/rehabilitation facility, which means that Health insurance and Medicare will not pay for Board and Care Homes.

Long-Term Care Insurance may pay for Board and Care Homes in three situations, assuming the policyholder meets the benefit trigger.

Board and Care Homes are specifically mentioned in the policy.
The definition of an assisted living facility meets the services provided by the Board and Care home being considered.
The policy provides a cash benefit that allows policyholders to use any provider they wish.

Generally, Medicaid would not cover Board and Care Homes.

Considerations When Choosing a Board and Care Home

When evaluating potential Board and Care homes for your loved one, consider the following factors:

Licensing and Accreditation: Ensure the facility is licensed and meets state regulations for safety and quality of care.
Staff Qualifications: Inquire about the training and experience of the caregivers to ensure they are capable of meeting your loved one's needs.
Resident Feedback: Speak with current residents and their families to gain insight into the quality of care and daily life at the home.
Location: Consider the home's proximity to family members and friends to facilitate regular visits and maintain social connections.
Cost: Understand the fee structure and what services are included to ensure affordability.

The licensing and accreditation requirements for Board and Care facilities, also known as Residential Care Facilities or included in regulations for Assisted Living Facilities, vary across U.S. states and territories.

The regulatory information below is current as of this writing; always check if changes have been made.

Alabama

Licensing: The Alabama Department of Public Health licenses Assisted Living Facilities.
Accreditation: Not mandatory, but options include The Joint Commission and CARF.

Alaska

Licensing: Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Health Care Services.
Accreditation: Not mandatory.

Arizona

Licensing: Arizona Department of Health Services, Bureau of Residential Facilities Licensing.
Accreditation: Not mandatory.

Arkansas

Licensing: Arkansas Department of Human Services, Office of Long-Term Care.
Accreditation: Not mandatory.

California

Licensing: California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division.
Accreditation: Not mandatory.

Colorado

Licensing: Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment, Health Facilities & Emergency Medical Services Division.
Accreditation: Not mandatory.

Connecticut

Licensing: Connecticut Department of Public Health, Facility Licensing & Investigations Section.
Accreditation: Not mandatory.

Delaware

Licensing: Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Health Care Quality.
Accreditation: Not mandatory.

District of Columbia

Licensing: District of Columbia Department of Health, Health Regulation and Licensing Administration.
Accreditation: Not mandatory.

Florida

Licensing: Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA).
Accreditation: Not mandatory.

Georgia

Licensing: Georgia Department of Community Health, Healthcare Facility Regulation Division.
Accreditation: Not mandatory.

Hawaii

Licensing: Hawaii Department of Health, Office of Health Care Assurance.
Accreditation: Not mandatory.

Idaho

Licensing: Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Division of Licensing and Certification.
Accreditation: Not mandatory.

Illinois

Licensing: Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Assisted Living.
Accreditation: Not mandatory.

Indiana

Licensing: Indiana State Department of Health, Division of Long-Term Care.
Accreditation: Not mandatory.

Iowa

Licensing: Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals, Health Facilities Division.
Accreditation: Not mandatory.

Kansas

Licensing: Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services.
Accreditation: Not mandatory.

Kentucky

Licensing: Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Office of Inspector General.
Accreditation: Not mandatory.

Louisiana

Licensing: Louisiana Department of Health, Health Standards Section.
Accreditation: Not mandatory.

Maine

Licensing: Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Licensing and Regulatory Services.
Accreditation: Not mandatory.

Maryland

Licensing: Maryland Department of Health, Office of Health Care Quality.
Accreditation: Not mandatory.

Massachusetts

Licensing: Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs.
Accreditation: Not mandatory.

Michigan

Licensing: Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Community and Health Systems.
Accreditation: Not mandatory.

Minnesota

Licensing: Minnesota Department of Health, Health Regulation Division.
Accreditation: Not mandatory.

Mississippi

Licensing: Mississippi State Department of Health, Division of Health Facilities Licensure and Certification.
Accreditation: Not mandatory.

Missouri

Licensing: Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Division of Regulation and Licensure.
Accreditation: Not mandatory.

Montana

Licensing: Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, Quality Assurance Division.
Accreditation: Not mandatory.

Nebraska

Licensing: Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health, Licensure Unit.
Accreditation: Not mandatory.

Nevada

Licensing: Nevada Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public and Behavioral Health.
Accreditation: Not mandatory.

New Hampshire

Licensing: New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Health Facilities Administration.
Accreditation: Not mandatory.

New Jersey

Licensing: New Jersey Department of Health, Division of Health Facilities Evaluation and Licensing.
Accreditation: Not mandatory.

New Mexico

Licensing: New Mexico Department of Health, Division of Health Improvement.
Accreditation: Not mandatory.

New York

Licensing: New York State Department of Health, Division of Adult Care Facilities.
Accreditation: Not mandatory.

North Carolina

Licensing: North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Health Service Regulation.
Accreditation: Not mandatory.

North Dakota

Licensing: North Dakota Department of Human Services, Aging Services Division.
Accreditation: Not mandatory.

Ohio

Licensing: Ohio Department of Health, Bureau of Regulatory Operations.
Accreditation: Not mandatory.

Oklahoma

Licensing: Oklahoma State Department of Health, Protective Health Services.
Accreditation: Not mandatory.

Oregon

Licensing: Oregon Department of Human Services, Aging and People with Disabilities.
Accreditation: Not mandatory.

Pennsylvania

Licensing: Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Office of Children, Youth and Families.
Accreditation: Not mandatory.

Rhode Island

Licensing: Rhode Island Department of Health, Center for Health Facilities Regulation.
Accreditation: Not mandatory.

South Carolina

Licensing: South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, Division of Health Licensing.
Accreditation: Not mandatory.

South Dakota

Licensing: South Dakota Department of Health, Health Facilities Licensing Program.
Accreditation: Not mandatory.

Tennessee

Licensing: Tennessee Department of Health, Division of Health Care Facilities.
Accreditation: Not mandatory.

Texas

Licensing: Texas Health and Human Services Commission.
Accreditation: Not mandatory.

Utah

Licensing: Utah Department of Health, Bureau of Licensing.
Accreditation: Not mandatory.

Vermont

Licensing: Vermont Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living.
Accreditation: Not mandatory.

Virginia

Licensing: Virginia Department of Social Services, Division of Licensing Programs.
Accreditation: Not mandatory.

Washington

Licensing: Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, Residential Care Services.
Accreditation: Not mandatory.

West Virginia

Licensing: West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, Office of Health Facility Licensure and Certification.
Accreditation: Not mandatory.

Wisconsin

Licensing: Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Division of Quality Assurance.
Accreditation: Not mandatory.

Wyoming

Licensing: Wyoming Department of Health, Office of Healthcare Licensing and Survey.
Accreditation: Not mandatory.

U.S. Territories

Regulations for U.S. territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands vary significantly. Contact the local health or social services departments for specific information.

Situations Requiring Higher Levels of Care

While Board and Care homes provide excellent support for many older adults, there are situations where a loved one may need more specialized care than these homes can offer. If your loved one has advanced medical needs, severe mobility challenges, or cognitive impairments such as dementia or Alzheimer's, alternative care options may be necessary.

Assisted Living Facilities: These facilities offer more comprehensive care services, including on-site medical staff and specialized programs for memory care.
Memory Care Units: Designed specifically for individuals with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia, these units provide structured environments to ensure safety and support.
Nursing Homes: For seniors requiring 24-hour medical supervision and rehabilitative services, nursing homes provide skilled nursing care and therapies.

Evaluating your loved one's needs and consulting with medical professionals can help determine the most suitable care setting. Transitioning to a higher level of care may be a challenging decision, but it ensures your loved one receives the attention and services required for their health and well-being.

For example, if your loved one has dementia, a Board and Care Home will not be an option. You will need to seek an assisted living facility that has memory care options or a nursing home.

Start with a quick internet search to find a quality long-term care facility for your loved one. For example, if you are looking for quality care services in Corona Del Mar, California, you can search Corona Del Mar's memory care programs for seniors.

The LTC News Caregiver Directory makes the search much easier. You can search from over 80,000 caregivers, home health agencies, adult day care centers, senior communities, assisted living, memory care, and nursing homes to find the quality long-term care services your loved one deserves.

In this example, in Corona Del Mar, you will find many options, including Crown Cove Senior Living, which includes assisted living and memory care services.

Be Proactive

Board and Care homes offer a viable and often advantageous option for older adults requiring assistance with daily living activities. Their personalized care, homelike environment, and cost-effectiveness make them an appealing choice for many families.

However, your loved one may need services that are unavailable at a Board and Care Home. Don't delay obtaining the necessary services to maintain a safe quality of life. If your loved one has Long-Term Care Insurance, be sure to use the benefits without delay.

LTC News has combined efforts with Amada Senior Care, a leading in-home healthcare agency with locations throughout the country, to help you process a claim from any LTC Insurance policy. There is no cost or obligation for this service - Filing a Long-Term Care Insurance Claim.

Aging is a reality and chronic illness, mobility issues, frailty, and dementia may lead you or a loved one to need help. While helping your family members get the care they need, start learning how you can plan for yourself now from the rising costs of future long-term care.

LTC Insurance could be an answer - LTC News Resource Center. An LTC policy can be an important part of your retirement plan. Most people obtain coverage between ages 47-67, but premiums and underwriting vary depending on age, health, and other factors.