Types of Long-Term Care

Board and care homes (also called residential care facilities) are small, private residential facilities. This group living arrangement provides a basic room (often in shared rather than private accommodations), meals, and help with money management, setting up health care and other appointments, and/or reminders to take medications for people who can’t live on their own but don’t need nursing home services. It is sometimes called a group home. These homes tend to have 20 or fewer residents and may not be appropriate for individuals who need the level of care available in a nursing home, since nursing and medical attention are usually not provided on the premises.

In some cases, private long-term care insurance and certain other types of assistance programs may help pay for this type of living arrangement. Many of these homes don’t receive payment from Medicare or Medicaid and aren’t strictly monitored. The rates charged by board and care homes and what services those rates include vary by state and sometimes by community.

To get more information about board and care homes, look at the Administration on Aging website.

You can also visit the Eldercare Locator website or call their toll-free number at 1-800-677-1116 to find out if this long-term care choice is available in your area, and, if so, you can find out specific rates charged and services provided by the board and care homes in your area.