Senior Assisted Living, Residential Care

Choosing Residential Care Other Than a Nursing Home

Senior assisted living and residential care facilities provide housing and help with activities of daily living such as bathing and dressing. They also provide three meals a day and supervision of medications. Many facilities coordinate the resident’s medical needs and make arrangements to receive visiting nurses or other medical personnel. In California, some residential care centers may even provide progressive levels of care, including in–house skilled nursing when the elderly resident’s health problems increase.

The names, characteristics and requirements for assisted living and residential care facilities may differ in each state. In California, a residential care facility for the elderly (an RCFE, sometimes known as a board and care home) is licensed by the California Department of Social Services. It is monitored and inspected by the Community Care Licensing Division (CCLD), which is a branch of that Department. A RCFE typically offers rooms within a house, and sometimes within a large complex. See the CCLD web site for a list of licensed residential care facilities.

In Utah, a “residential health care facility,” which is licensed by the state Bureau of Health Facility Licensure, provides care for people who need help with daily living activities, but do not need long–term nursing care. It can be a small residential home, a large apartment complex, or part of a senior retirement community.

The ElderCare Locator from the Administration on Aging provides a list of assisted living and residential care facilities nationwide. The office can also be reached by telephoning 1–800–677–1116.

Tips for Selecting Assisted Living and Residential Care Facilities

If an assisted living or residential care arrangement is the best care solution for your elderly loved one, choose a facility that is located close to the senior’s family and friends so that frequent visits are possible. Once you have compiled a list of several facilities, make arrangements to visit each one.

Check each facility at various times, particularly at meal times. Are the meals nutritious? Are the residents enjoying their food? Some facilities consider ethnic food preferences. This is a big plus for a senior who is adjusting to a new environment.

Talk to residents and observe how they are treated by staff. Find out about staff training, qualifications, and work hours, and ask to see a copy of the latest inspection report. Rooms and hallways should be clean. The place should smell pleasant. Strong odors of urine or feces are signs of soiled clothes and bedding and inattention to the hygiene of residents.

Cost is often a factor in selecting an assisted living facility. Make sure to read the contract carefully, and look for hidden costs. Be sure that you understand what is included in the base price and whether or not there are added charges for certain personal services.

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We represent clients in all 50 states and have offices located in:

California:

222 Rush Landing
Novato, CA 94945

Oregon:

111 SW Columbia
Suite 250
Portland, OR 97201

Utah:

215 South St. Str.
Suite 900
Salt Lake City, UT 84111