Written by: patrick on June 22, 2010 @ 12:52 am
In our first installment on Board & Care homes we painted a very broad, general picture of the assisted living type known of in the vernacular of the industry as Board & Care. In this article we will refine our discussion. Here we will focus on specifics of this type of care option and will make clear the type of resident for which this home is designed. With that, let’s learn more about Board & Care assisted living.
So, we know that Board & Care homes are usually started in single family detached homes. They are, in California, usually licenses for six or fewer residents. We know that, although licensing only requires one care staff on duty at any time, almost all Board & Care homes, have two or more care staff on at any given time. Let us now make clear that the board and care home, that employees two or more care staff, are providing the highest ratio of care giver to resident in the industry.
In fact, no assisted living facility or medical institution comes even close to this ratio. This simple fact means that the Board & Care home is able to provide the highest level of care with ADLs in the industry, ADLs being, of course, Activities of Daily Living. Let us be perfectly clear and reiterate, no other type of standard assisted living in the industry can match this ratio or offer that high level of care. Combine that and intimacy with the residents, and the love that grows, and it is easy to see how this care option can be so attractive to people requiring a high level of care.
Next let’s talk about costs and paying for Board & Care assisted living. This discussion pertains to Orange and similar counties in California, where assisted living is private pay. There are a few counties now in California that provide financial assistance for low income seniors requiring assisted living, but they are the exception, rather than the rule. So we know that we are going to have to pay for our assisted living. Where exactly does the Board & Care home land in relation to other options as far as cost? Delightfully, this options is one the most cost effective types of assisted living, even as it provides the highest level of care available.
Board & Care homes are usually “one fee covers all”, unlike other types of assisted living, which see costs increase with care needs. This means that, usually, the price you are paying when you first move in is generally the price you pay for as long as you are there. Very helpful when trying to plan for the future. There are, in most Board & Care homes, usually three types of accommodations; shared room, private room and private with private bath. The differences are obvious, with the shared being least expensive and private with bath obviously the most. Specifics, in Orange County the average costs are about $2200 for a shared room, $3200 for a private and $3600 for a private with private bath, per month. When you consider that private 24 hour care costs around $6500 per month plus all of the associated costs of the home.
Let’s talk more about the care provided at Board & Care home. Almost everyone has heard stories about people in hospitals or skilled nursing facilities that are left unattended for horrible amounts of time. This is a phenomena that does not occur in Board & Care homes. The high level of care staff insures that help needed is available almost instantaneously. Because of this incredibly high level of care and supervision, Board & Cares are in great demand for residents that offer a high level of care. In fact, Board & Care homes are quickly taking the place of skilled nursing facilities for end of life care.
So now we come to the one glaring negative of the Board & Care home, and let us qualify, it is only a negative when taken in the light of a certain type of resident. Board & Care homes are, by design, made for people that require a great amount of care, supervision or both. They are very slow paced environments. Often, Board & Care staff have difficulties in answer questions about activities. The majority of time in these homes is spent on the ADLs and then the maintenance of the home, cooking, cleaning, etc. There is very little time or resources for very exciting, structured activities. Some homes do boast pet therapy or perhaps music therapy, but there are certainly no trips to the casinos. After all, think about the residents that they serve. For this very needy type of resident, a slow paced environment is what is needed.
In our next article on the Board & Care home, we will delve deeper into the workings and look more at licensing. Until that time, Kindest Regards.
Tags: Assisted Living, assisted living evaluation, assisted living homes, assisted living placement, assisted living services, Board & Care, orange county assisted living
Catogories: Assisted Living Information, assisted living education
Hi Patrick,
I own a 6 bed Board and Care facility. I just wanted to let you know that i really like this article. Keep up the good work. I just recently signed up with you. Hope we can work together.
Regards
Louie Barbosa
OLYMPIC GUEST HOME