Simplifying the Senior Living Search

The overall cost of assisted living varies depending on the company, the state, and how long the resident plans to live at the facility. In the United States, the average cost of assisted living is approximately $4,300/month. Assisted living facilities with luxury amenities will cost more than facilities located in low-income areas and less available amenities.

Assisted living provides a wide variety of certified, professional care including:

• 24-hour emergency care
• Nursing and physician care
• Social services
• Daily meals as needed
• Housekeeping and maintenance
• Recreational services
• Rehabilitative services (physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy) as needed
• ADL (activities of daily living) assistance including bathing, dressing, and hygiene as needed
• Medication monitoring and management

Residents require a wide variety of care and may not need all of the available services provided by the facility. However, as each resident ages and their health status changes, those services are in place in the event they come to rely on them in the near future.

Prospective residents request and fill out an application form for their desired board and care home facility. Once the application is submitted, the prospective resident will also need to undergo an interview and the board and care home will perform a needs assessment to determine if the facility is the right fit for the individual.

For prospective residents and family members who need assistance with the interview and needs assessment process, the board and care home administration staff can also talk to current social workers, medical staff, or other geriatric healthcare providers who could provide more information.

This is especially helpful for prospective residents who struggle with communicating their needs, their current living situation, and why they would benefit from residing in a specific board and care home.

Board and care homes have increased in popularity over the years so there are many to choose from. However, since residential homes are kept small there are generally waiting lists to consider.

When selecting a board and care home, consider the following questions:

• If waitlisted, how long does it usually take to get accepted into a board and care home?
• What is the staff to resident ratio?
• How many residents are there?
• What medical conditions or disorders do the residents have?
• Are any of the residents aggressive?
• Are the staff pleasant and easy to work with?
• What is the visitation policy?
• What are the monthly fees like and are they expected to increase over time?
• What is transportation like? Are the staff safe and capable drivers?
• Is the option available to have a private room?
• How do board and care home contracts get terminated?
• What are community outings like?
• Is the board and care premise safe and secure?
• Is there an emergency protocol in place and are the staff familiar with it?
• What ADL tasks will staff assist with?
• Are the staff trained to handle oxygen tanks, incontinence supplies, or other common medical equipment devices?

Board and care homes have grown to become suitable, affordable options for seniors who want to retain as much independence to their day as possible while still having support in place when needed. Talk to your friends and family who have experiences with board and care homes.

Compare and contrast to pros and cons of residing in board and care. Talk to your primary physician if you are concerned about being healthy enough to live in board and care. Consult with a financial advisor to negotiate your best moves to pay for the monthly fees.

Tour and research multiple facilities before committing to one. Be proactive in your selection and take your time with the process so you can enjoy your selection and have a higher quality of life.