Board and Care Residential Facilities Offer Homelike Setting for Seniors

Seniorresource.com explains that one of the long term care options is a board and care facility, which often is a converted or adapted home that has 5 or 6 residents who receive care. A residential board and care home may specialize in the type of care provided, for instance, early stage Alzheimer's.

The number of residents depends upon the zoning for the home. When a facility has room for a larger number of residents it is called an assisted care facility.

The homelike family style atmosphere of a converted house and the small number of residents appeals to those who do not wish to move to a larger facility. Caregivers or aides provide assistance in a group home and many people enjoy the warm, friendly atmosphere and shared social interaction. Often everyone becomes like a part of the "family" and the residents and aides may develop close friendships.

To find Residential Care or Board and Care in your area you can search the internet, check with the local ombudsman services, browse the yellow pages, and ask local consultants and care coordinators.

In the San Luis Obispo area Hillside Villa Retirement Home is located in Arroyo Grande. I visited several times around Christmas and the warm, friendly family style atmosphere was wonderful. There are a number of residential homes in San Luis Obispo County, and if you live elsewhere you can check for similar homes in your area.