What is a Residential Board and Care Home?

Residential Board and Care Homes are small residential family homes which provide 24-hour custodial care for four to six residents. All custodial care, meals, and activities are provided by live-in full-time staff. Most are licensed to accept non-ambulatory residents and have been constructed with these residents needs in mind (e.g., wheelchair accessible bathrooms and inside/ outside ramps).

Board and Care Homes

Board and care homes go by many names (including personal care homes, residential care facilities, assisted living, and domiciliary care). In exchange for rent, generally they provide room, meals, laundry and house-keeping, and regular contact with staff to ensure that "all is well." The daily contact with staff is what distinguishes "board and care" homes from the more familiar boarding houses. Your parent would share this home, of course, with a number of other residents.

Visit the home with your parent before a decision is made. Look at the private room your parent may occupy. Ask lots of questions about the services and evaluate the staff. Ask for references and check the home's record with the local or State licensing agency.

Consider these issues:

• Will your parent have privacy and independence?
• Is common space available?
• How much will it cost, including add-ons to the rent?
• Is it near public transportation, places of worship, and shopping?
• Can your parent's special dietary needs be met?
• Does the home comply with local licensing, fire, and zoning laws? Is it licensed by the State?
• What are the arrangements for sharing bathrooms?
• Will your parent have to climb stairs?
• Are there security locks on each room?
• Will your parent have access to a telephone?
• Are pets allowed? Who will care for them?