Residential Care Homes vs Assisted Living Facility
Both Residential Care Homes (also called Board and Care Homes) and large Assisted Living Communities are licensed in California by the Department of Social Services as Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFE). Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly caters to seniors age 60 and older. Residential Care Homes usually have a capacity of 4-6 beds while Assisted Living Communities usually have a capacity of 20 – 200 beds. You will find even bigger capacity of Assisted Living at the Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC).
Similarities of Residential Care Homes and Assisted Living Communities
Residential Care homes and Assisted Living Facility both offer seniors assistance with their activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, dressing, grooming, incontinence care, meals, medication reminders, transferring, walking, and housekeeping. Assisted Living bridges the gap between living independently and needing nursing care. In California, Residential Care Facilities for the elderly are highly regulated by the Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division. These care facilities are mandated to follow the Title 22 Regulations.
Remarkable Differences:
| Assisted Living Communities | Residential Care Homes | |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Admission Fee | From $500 to as much as one month’s worth of rent | Do not usually charge a fee |
| Monthly rent | Room rent plus cost of care (usually use point system for assessing level of care) | One fee includes cost of care |
| Activities | Lots of activities prepared by the activity director | Most Board and Care homes offer very limited activity due to most frail residents not participating |
| Staff to resident ratio | One staff: 12 residents (Usual ratio) | One staff: 3 residents, Offering more personalized, one on one care |
| Type of room | Mostly private apartments: Studio, One-bedroom, two-bedroom, and a suite | Shared and Private rooms |
| Size of room | Spacious apartments | Smaller, regular home-room |
| Facility Owners | Corporately owned | Individually or family owned |
| Dementia Care | Residents live in a secured unit | Usually accept ONLY those with early stage of Dementia with NO wandering behavior; doors have alarms for safety purposes |
| Housing | Retirement/Resort-like setting | Home-like setting |
| Type of residents | Mostly active seniors | Has higher level of care than being active, some resident seniors are frail or wheelchair bound |
| Dining | Restaurant style of dining Prepared by a Chef | Home-cooked meals |
What is a Pre-admission Fee?
Assisted Living Communities and Residential Care Homes may charge a pre-admission fee or community fee to cover costs for assessment, admission files, and setting up pharmacy account.
What option is better?
Assisted Living Facility is usually recommended to seniors who are still active and wants to socialize. There are lots of activities and amenities in an assisted living facility that the seniors may still enjoy. Residential Care Homes are recommended to those frail seniors needing more personalized care. These frail seniors will benefit from the one on one care that the caregivers are able to provide. Sometimes even the not so frail seniors still select Residential Care Homes over Assisted Living. This is because they feel more comfortable living in a home-like setting just like living at home.