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Assisted Living vs. Board and Care Homes for Seniors: What’s the Difference?

Robert Shipman • July 1, 2019

When an aging loved one transitions from living independently to long-term care, it’s often a choice between an assisted living community or a board and care home.


While there’s no clear, nationwide definition for board and care homes like there is for assisted living communities, the main difference between the two is size. Assisted living communities typically have more residents, while board and care homes for seniors have fewer residents. Both living options provide similar services, but your loved one may be better suited to one option over the other. Like assisted living, board and care homes are licensed by individual states.


Let’s take a closer look at each of these types of senior living.


What is assisted living?


Assisted living provides long-term housing and care for seniors. It is ideal for seniors who need help with some activities of daily living (ADLs) but are interested in leading a social, active lifestyle. Keep in mind that both assisted living and board and care homes offer less care than nursing homes.

More like inclusive hotels for retirees, assisted living communities may offer the following:


  • Suites with mini-kitchens, or larger apartments that allow couples to age together
  • Help with laundry, housekeeping, and activities of daily living— such as bathing and grooming — that seniors may have difficulty with
  • Restaurant-style dining, happy hours, and activities based on resident interest
  • Outings and transportation to local stores, theaters, and museums


It’s important to remember that assisted living communities often have health standards for admitting new residents. This means that for a resident to join, they’d perhaps have to be able to feed themselves independently or move from a bed to a wheelchair without assistance.


When is assisted living the right fit for a loved one?


Assisted living may be the right choice for seniors who:


  • Need minor help from nursing staff or assistance taking medications but don’t require full-time medical care
  • Are looking for new friends or social activities
  • Want more amenities, activities, and recreational opportunities than what a board and care home would offer
  • Are currently in good health but know they’ll need more help soon
  • Need help with daily living activities, such as dressing and bathing
  • Want a maintenance-free lifestyle without lawn care or home repairs
  • Would prefer an active life but don’t have access to transportation

What are board and care homes?


Board and care homes are houses in residential neighborhoods that are equipped, adapted, and staffed to care for a small number of residents, usually between two and 10.


These homes provide comparable care to what’s offered at assisted living communities, but still usually less than what a nursing home provides. This means board and care homes can help with daily routines, but typically don’t provide 24-hour skilled nursing assistance.


Caregivers at board and care homes prepare two or three home-cooked meals a day for residents and typically help with activities such as:


  • Mobility
  • Health condition monitoring
  • Grooming and hygiene
  • Medication management
  • Toileting


Group home and other names for board and care homes


Board and care homes may be referred to as:


  • Residential care home
  • Adult family care home
  • Group home
  • Senior group home
  • Adult foster care home
  • Personal care home


In some regions, one term is more popular than the others. In California, “board and care home” is a common term, while in North Carolina, you may hear “group home.” But don’t let all these names confuse you — they’re essentially the same concept.


When is a board and care home the right fit for a loved one?


Board and care homes for seniors may be a better fit for loved ones who:


  • Prefer a cozy, intimate, and homelike environment
  • Need some help with everyday tasks, such as dressing and bathing, but don’t need 24-hour skilled care
  • Want a home with fewer residents, which allows for more interaction and attention from staff
  • Would enjoy a relaxed, unstructured environment
  • Want the privacy of a bedroom without all the responsibilities of an entire apartment, such as housekeeping


How do I learn more about senior living options?


Senior living choices have expanded as the needs and expectations of older adults have changed over the past several decades. Figuring out the best option for your loved one’s needs is crucial for keeping them healthy, active, and safe.

Why are Eye Exams Important for Older Adults?

By Robert Shipman • July 1, 2019
When was the last time your aging relative had an eye exam?

Simple Dietary Changes to Help Seniors Stay Healthy

By Robert Shipman • April 15, 2019
Senior Care experts realize that it’s challenging to make heart healthy meals for seniors when nutrition recommendations appear to constantly change. We had been told that saturated fats from options such as butter, red meat and fried food were harmful and could affect a person’s chances of developing heart issues, but later research revealed there isn’t enough evidence that those who gave up these delicacies improved their heart health – and so, we went back to our previous ways due to the go-ahead to choose butter instead of margarine. And yet, as reported in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, scientists clarify that the lack of apparent results in reducing fatty foods is likely associated with equally poor dietary choices selected in the place of those fats – such as refined carbs. In the study, it was shared that those who exchanged fatty foods in their diet with healthier options, such as olive oil (a polyunsaturated fat) and whole grains did reduce their heart disease risk up to 25%. As stated by Adela Hruby, one of many researchers in this study, “We know that people don’t just drop 10% of their calories…and not replace them with other things. What they’re adding in to replace what they’re not eating is really important.” The study, led by Dr. Frank Hu of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, was amazingly in-depth, monitoring the results of almost 130,000 participants of both genders over thirty years. Keeping an eye on dietary choices and any heart-related conditions, it was determined that both women and men who consumed carbohydrates instead of fatty foods were attaining a nearly equal threat of cardiovascular disease – a statistic overlooked in previous studies that had determined there was no benefit to decreasing the level of saturated fat in a meal plan. So, what might be the takeaway from this study? Improved heart health may be gained by not just reducing the total amount of saturated fat in a dietary plan, but also by choosing healthier items instead of foods with high levels of sugar or processed flour-based foods. Perfectly Placed Seniors is always available to plan and prepare heart healthy meals that are not just nutritious, but tasty, helping older adults reduce their risk for heart attacks and disease. We are able to also assist older adults with: Making appropriate dietary choices, and shopping for groceries so that fresh, healthy foods are always on hand Medication reminders Carrying out physician-recommended activity programs Safe accompaniment to doctor appointments as well as other outings Resource: American College of Cardiology
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