Residential Care Homes
Surveys show that the vast majority of older adults want to age in place. But, health or other care needs may make this option impractical or unsafe. Fortunately, there’s an alternative: residential care homes. A care home is a home-away-from-home that still looks and feels like home, rather than an institutional setting.
Across the country, they are called by various names, including residential care homes, residential care facilities for the elderly (RCFE), adult family homes, board-and-care homes, and personal care homes. But they all provide a needed service: care for seniors in a home-like setting.
In this guide, we’ll explain residential care homes in more depth to help you decide if this type of senior living is right for you or your loved one. We also compare care homes to other senior care options, explore the cost of care homes and how to pay, and answer some frequently asked questions about residential care homes.
What Are Residential Care Homes
Care homes are small, residential communities for seniors who need some assistance with their day-to-day tasks. RCFEs typically provide a similar care level to assisted living facilities, but the communities are significantly smaller. Most care homes house ten or fewer residents, compared to dozens or even hundreds of residents in assisted living communities. The small size can be a welcome feature for seniors who are shy or prefer to keep to themselves. Residents of care homes may also receive more personalized attention than residents of larger communities.
In some states, there is no distinct regulatory difference between personal care homes and assisted living facilities. However, in other areas, the level of care can vary. Some care homes may be geared for those who desire companionship but do not need regular assistance, while others help with the activities of daily living (ADLs), such as dressing and bathing. In some cases, if appropriately staffed, medication administration and limited medical care may be provided.
Benefits of Residential Care Homes
Residential care homes offer some unique benefits thanks to their small size and care models. We explain some of the most prominent benefits in more detail below.
- Personal Attention: Because care homes are significantly smaller than assisted living facilities, residents get more one-on-one attention. Though care homes employ fewer staff, they have more time to dedicate to each individual resident. It also reduces the chance of a health change or illness slipping through the cracks.
- Independence and Autonomy: Like assisted living facilities, care homes allow seniors to receive the care they need while maintaining independence in other areas of their lives. Care homes also typically offer less activity programming than different types of senior living. This gives residents more freedom to pursue their interests on their own terms and not be limited to the day’s activity schedule.
- Family Involvement: Because of the smaller staff size and number of residents, residents’ families will have more direct access to the home’s director or managers. Having a direct relationship and access to the home’s upper managers can provide families with peace-of-mind and make it easier for them to stay involved with their loved one’s care.
- Location: Care homes are typically converted single-family residences, so they tend to be located in residential 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.
- Safety: Many residential care homes are outfitted with emergency alert systems and/or provide personal emergency alert devices for all residents. Having these extra measures in place can help seniors stay much safer compared to aging in place independently.
Residential Care Homes Services and Amenities
Residential care homes are a good fit for seniors who need assistance with their day-to-day activities but don’t require regular medical care. The services and amenities provided in care homes help residents stay safe while giving them the autonomy to retain as much independence as they see fit. The exact services offered in care homes can vary, but some of the most common include:
- Assistance with the activities of daily living such as bathing and dressing
- Care coordination between the care home and residents’ families
- Prepared meals, typically cooked in-house and adjustable for those with dietary limitations
- Housekeeping services and laundry
- Companion care
- Some planned activities and group outings
- 24-hour supervision and emergency assistance
Because of their small size and resemblance to single-family homes, care homes typically do not have many extra amenities. Residents can still socialize and relax in a common area, and some care homes may even have a backyard where residents can enjoy the outdoors. Because care homes are all different, it’s important to understand the amenities and general structure of any care home you’re considering for yourself or a loved one.
Who Is a Good Fit for Residential Care Homes?
Thousands of seniors across the country call an RCFE home, but it isn’t the right senior living choice for everyone. Below, we explain some examples of who may be a good fit for a residential care home.
You need some assistance with your ADLs, but not regular medical care
Care homes provide personal care assistance, including assistance with ADLs. This may include bathing, dressing, grooming, and general hygienic practices. Care home aides are available to assist residents with their ADLs and personal care needs, but they cannot provide medical care other than basic first-aid.
You’re no longer able to keep up with household chores and maintenance
Maintaining a home is a lot of work at any age, and it becomes increasingly burdensome for seniors, especially if they experience mobility challenges. Care home staff takes care of all household chores for residents, including cleaning and laundry, so that they can enjoy a maintenance-free lifestyle.
You value independence and thrive in smaller groups
Like assisted living facilities, care homes allow residents to retain their independence as much as possible. Unlike assisted living facilities, care homes are very small communities. Most care homes have ten or fewer residents, which can be ideal for those who are introverted or simply thrive in smaller groups. The small size also means there’s likely to be fewer planned activities and entertainment, giving residents more independence in their day-to-day activities.
You desire the peace-of-mind of 24-hour aides, but want to stay in a homelike setting
Many seniors and their families decide it’s time for residential care because they want the security and peace of mind of living in a facility with caregivers on-site around-the-clock. However, seniors may be hesitant to move to senior living because they don’t want to live in a large, apartment complex-style community. Care homes provide an appealing solution for people who find themselves in this situation. In some cases, care homes may be a less difficult transition compared to assisted living facilities because the residences more closely resemble a “normal” home.