Many families who contact Senior Living Specialists of California for help finding a housing option for an older loved one aren’t aware of board and care homes. Because they are typically smaller communities located in quiet residential neighborhoods, it is easy to overlook them. However, for about 35-40% of the families we work with in Los Angeles, a board and care home is the ideal solution.
What is a Board and Care Home?
This type of senior living community is known by many other names. You might hear them referred to as adult family homes, residential care homes, adult foster care, residential care communities, or personal care homes. There are many advantages to choosing one for a senior family member, including:
- Smaller Size: These care homes tend to be smaller and offer more customized care to their residents. It can be an ideal setting for someone who may feel overwhelmed at a larger senior living community.
- All-Inclusive: Board and care homes in the Los Angeles area provide lodging, meals, and assistance with activities of daily living (such as medications, mobility transferring, bathing, grooming, and dressing) for residents.
- Staff-Resident Ratios: One of the biggest advantages a board and care home offers is its small size and lower staff-resident ratios. The average staff-to-resident ratio in a board and care home is generally one caregiver for every three to four residents. By contrast, those averages are closer to one caregiver for every eight to ten residents in larger senior living communities.
- Home-Like Setting: Another plus for board and care homes is they look and feel more like home. Most are actually designed to resemble a private family home. This type of warm, homey environment may put older adults in Los Angeles at ease.
Cost of Board and Care Homes in Los Angeles, California
Another benefit of a board and care home is the price. They are often more affordable than other types of senior housing. While the price varies by location, type of room (private or semi-private) chosen, and services required, the range is usually:
- Between $4,000 – $5,500 per month for a shared room
- Between $4,500 – $15,000 per month for a private room
The variance in pricing can swing wide depending on the area of Los Angeles a board and care home might be located in. One of the biggest differences between board and care homes and assisted living facilities is that board and care homes are typically located in residential neighborhoods, while assisted living facilities are often standalone buildings. The neighborhoods that the board and care homes are in can vary the monthly cost you can expect, along with surrounding attractions (e.g., parks).
You should also know that if your aging loved one is suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s, the cost will go up due to the specialized care that is required. The price can also increase with additional services like:
- Laundry and housekeeping services
- Nurses in homes and available on-call 24/7
- Outings and visits to surrounding attractions
- Exercise equipment
You will likely find that some of the board and care homes in Los Angeles will offer these services without additional cost, whereas others may require additional monthly fees. When discussing these additional costs, try to think of what your loved one currently needs, but also what they might need in the future. It can help immensely with budgeting down the road.
Tips on Evaluating Board and Care Homes in Los Angeles
Here are a few tips that can help you choose the best board and care home for your loved one when touring different facilities:
- Location: If you have severe limitations on the proximity of your loved one’s board and care home, remove the ones too far away from your list right away. One of the most important factors we find when helping families is finding the right care while being close enough for family to regularly visit.
- Check out the food: Board and care homes will often have one or two people providing the food options for the residents. Nutrition is an important part of maintaining health in aging people, so try to schedule a visit around dinner time. You can see the quality of food and nutritional balance.
- Layout matches your loved one’s mobility: If the board and care home has multiple floors or steps that your loved one will have trouble with, be aware of those possible challenges.
- Trust an expert: Senior Living Specialists of California has assisted over 10,000 families in the Los Angeles area and has a deep knowledge of all the care options available to your loved one.
It can be difficult to realize the difference in benefits, services, and care options of the different board and care homes when you visit two or more. If you take extensive notes on each visit and keep your loved one’s care needs in mind throughout the visit, you can find the right care for them.
What Are the Differences Between Board and Care Homes and Assisted Living Communities?
Board and care homes and assisted living communities are both types of senior living facilities that provide housing and support services to seniors who need some level of assistance with daily activities. However, there are some key differences between the two:
- Board and Care Homes:
- Are often smaller, with fewer residents
- Offer a more home-like atmosphere, with private or shared rooms
- Generally provide fewer amenities than assisted living communities
- May offer a higher level of personal care and supervision, as staff are usually available 24/7
- May be a good option for seniors who need more personalized attention and support
- Assisted Living Communities:
- Are larger, with more residents
- Offer a variety of private or shared living options, including apartments or cottages
- Provide more amenities and social activities than board and care homes
- Generally offer a lower level of personal care and supervision, as residents are expected to be more independent
- May be a good option for seniors who are still relatively independent and who want to be part of a larger community
It’s important to consider the specific needs and preferences of your loved one when deciding between a board and care home and an assisted living community.
Let Us Help You Find a Board and Care Home in Los Angeles
Senior Living Specialists of California was founded back in 2008 as a free service to families trying to work their way through the maze of senior care options. We provide support and guidance to families throughout the Los Angeles area. To learn more, please call us today at 1-844-770-0749.
