Are you an elderly who needs attention? Or do you have a senior who is looking for long-term care? If yes, then a care facility is the best option. A care facility is basically an establishment that provides restorative, rehabilitative, and/or progressive skilled nursing care to individuals in need of assistance. Unlike massive assisted-living communities or nursing homes, which at many times are crowded with residents, a board and care facility accommodates ten or fewer occupants.
The structure of a board and care facility can be a small-scale facility or a residential home that has been adapted to suit the needs of elderly residents. People who stay in this type of facility are usually subjected to a more focused type of care. These care facilities are popular across the country mainly because of their quality services to their residents while giving them more independence and freedom. The notable difference about board and care facilities is that they do not provide nursing and medical care on-site. Let’s delve deeper and look at some of the services offered in a typical board and care facility.
What services are provided in a board and care facility?
As the name suggests, the facilities are used to offer room and board to the elderly. Additionally, they give 24/7 proper care services and assistance. The workers in the facilities are usually unskilled, which means there no medical care is given. At best, the staff supply essentials such as bathing, grooming, dressing et cetera. Some board and care facilities may provide skilled care but depend on the state and county. Other important services offered include:
Housekeeping
The workers in the facility are in charge of daily cleanings and upkeep of common areas, the bathrooms, and the rooms. They give supplies such as soap and toilet paper. Some other facilities incorporate laundry services for soiled clothing and linens as well.
Transportation
Residents who reside in these types of facilities will get aid in getting a ride to their doctor’s appointments. Additionally, the facilities also provide transportation to their arranged outside activities. Some board and care facilities go an extra mile to provide help with simple services like filling prescribed treatments and medication in the pharmacy, grocery shopping et cetera. All these additional services entirely depend on the resident’s mobility and health level.
Provide meals
As people advance in age, nutrition is a critical element of our daily lives. Inappropriate diet may heighten prevailing health issues, and it may bring about new ones. If you lack the energy to go and shop for the required ingredients and cook, your board and care facility will come in handy on that. Usually, each state has structured various senior nutritional requirements for all the facilities. Each facility is required to post its weekly and daily menus.
If you are planning to work with a board and care facility on matters pertaining to your diet, this is something you need to iron with them before signing. Residents usually eat three meals a day besides snacks. Confirm if your facility can provide cultural food preferences. Importantly, find out if they can cater to your personal diet restrictions. Some people may need a diet that is cholesterol-free, nut-free, low-glycemic, gluten-free, etc.
How to evaluate a potential Board and care facility
Before signing and committing to a contract, it’s always recommended that you do your due diligence. For better results, look at the floor plans, check photos, go for a tour to get all the information, and compare prices. Other crucial things you should keep in mind when searching for a care facility include checking the workers’ skills, touring several homes and comparing services, seeing all licenses and permits, inspecting the staff to residents’ ratio to ensure your loved one under care gets the best service they deserve.
