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Thoughts on Board and Care Facilities? Seeking Advice and Opinions!

Hi everyone,

I hope you're all doing well! šŸ˜Š My name is Sophia, and Iā€™m exploring elder care options for a family member, and Iā€™ve recently come across Board and Care facilities. From what I understand, these are smaller, home-like settings where seniors receive personal care and assistance with daily tasks. They seem like a great middle ground between assisted living and staying at home, but Iā€™d love to hear your experiences or thoughts about them.

Hereā€™s what Iā€™ve gathered so far:

  • They typically house a small number of residents (around 4-10), which means more personalized attention.
  • The atmosphere seems more relaxed and less clinical compared to larger facilities.
  • Caregivers help with things like bathing, dressing, medication, and meals.
  • Costs seem to vary a lot depending on the location, but theyā€™re usually more affordable than nursing homes.

Hereā€™s what Iā€™m curious about:

  1. Have you or someone you know ever had a loved one in a Board and Care facility?
  2. What did you like (or not like) about it?
  3. Are there specific questions I should ask or red flags to look out for when visiting these facilities?
  4. Do you think they offer enough social and recreational activities for seniors?

Iā€™m just trying to make the best decision for my family member, and Iā€™d love to hear any tips, stories, or advice from this community. Personal anecdotes or even a ā€œwhat I wish I knew before choosing a facilityā€ would be super helpful!

Thanks in advance for sharing your thoughts and experiences. This decision feels big, and I really value the wisdom and support here.

Looking forward to hearing from you all!

Warmly,
Sophia

catherine has reacted to this post.
catherine

Hi Sophie,
I completely understand where youā€™re coming fromā€”itā€™s such a big decision to make. My dad was in a Board and Care facility a couple of years ago, and honestly, it was a blessing in disguise. He wasnā€™t comfortable in a large assisted living home, but the small, cozy atmosphere of the Board and Care really suited him.

One thing Iā€™d suggest is checking how the caregivers interact with the residents. During our visits, we saw how much the staff genuinely cared for the seniorsā€”it made all the difference!

Iā€™d love to know what kind of questions youā€™re planning to ask when you visit facilities. Maybe we can brainstorm some together?

Fidelity

catherine has reacted to this post.
catherine

Hey Fidelity and Sophie,
Iā€™m so glad you brought this up, Sophie, because itā€™s such an important topic. Fidelity, I agree with youā€”caregiver interaction is key! My aunt was in a Board and Care, and while the smaller environment worked for her, we did come across one where the caregivers seemed stressed and overworked. Thatā€™s definitely a red flag.

One thing I learned is to ask about staff-to-resident ratios. Some facilities are better staffed than others, and it can really impact the quality of care. Also, Sophie, have you thought about visiting during meal times? Itā€™s a great way to see how residents interact with each other and how meals are managed.

Fidelity, Iā€™m curious, did your dad participate in social activities at the facility? Sophie, is that something your family member would enjoy?

 

Hi Sophie, Fidelity, and Cathrine!
This thread is so helpful, thank you all for sharing your thoughts! Sophie, Iā€™m in the same boat as you, trying to figure out the best option for my grandma. Cathrine, I love your suggestion about visiting during meal times, I hadnā€™t thought of that, but it makes so much sense!

Fidelity, your point about caregiver interaction is spot-on.

My grandma thrives on social connection, so Iā€™ve been looking at facilities that offer group activities or even just opportunities for residents to bond over hobbies.

Sophie, does your family member like being social, or would they prefer a quieter atmosphere? Maybe we can all share tips on what to look for in activity programs? Letā€™s keep this conversation going.

itā€™s so nice to have a supportive community!