Considering an Adult Family Home?

Considering an Adult Family Home?

If you are considering housing and care options for yourself or for an elderly loved one, it is important to consider an Adult Care Home as a potential option.  Other names for an Adult Care Home are: “Adult Family Homes” or “AFH,” or “Residential Assisted Living Homes”.

These types of care environments are usually a single-family home located within a residential neighborhood.  Such homes care for between 2 and 6 residents.  They are generally independently owned and are for-profit businesses, although a few of them are incorporated as non-profits.  Some owners have multiple homes, but most homes are stand-alone and often the owner/provider lives in the home and does much of the caregiving.  These homes are licensed county and/or state where they are located.

Generally, if you are driving around a neighborhood and notice a wheel chair ramp leading to the front door, there is a chance that this home may be an adult care home.  Although there are some homes that are designed and built specifically as an adult family home from the ground up, most are existing homes that have been remodeled according to specifications and requirements set forth by regulatory agencies.  One of the appeals of the AFH is that it mirrors neighborhood living because it is actually part of a residential neighborhood.  Often residents of these homes have barbecues and other outside activities during times of nice weather, giving them a feeling of comfort and familiarity that can be more difficult to accomplish in a larger setting.

Adult family homes come in all shapes and sizes and can be as unique and diverse as the neighborhoods in which they exist.  Some have shared rooms available that can help with resident costs, but most have private rooms for their residents and some even have private baths or ½ baths for each room.  There are homes that are very upscale and opulent and homes that are very modest and more typical of the home most people come from.  The biggest issue in choosing a home is the quality of the care and the people who give the care, as well as the other residents that are currently living there.

The Adult family home environment is small and therefore conducive to providing intimate personal care on demand.  It is one of the better options for someone who should not be left alone for periods of time and who may not be able to activate a pendent for help.  Also, there are certain care needs which require an instantaneous response that just can’t be accomplished in an apartment setting that may require giving care services time to respond.  It is also appealing for those who would do better with having the same few caregivers helping them out.  When a loved one is struggling with memory issues, the fewer changes there are in personnel, the better.  Generally the caregiver to resident ratio in an AFH is 1 caregiver to 3 or 4 residents during the day and 1 to 6 during the night.  Some homes have an “awake staff” at night, based on the specific need of the residents at the home.   Many homes offer call buttons, motion sensors, or floor alarms to alert a caregiver if the resident gets up at night.

Residents of AFHs may have dementia or they may be frail of body.  These homes cater well to helping people who need help ambulating or who are in a wheelchair.  There are a few homes that have secured premises and can handle those residents that may pose a wander risk, but most homes decline admission of residents who exhibit wandering behaviors.  Specialty memory care communities may offer a better setting to someone with memory loss who likes to walk or have frequent movement.

Adult care homes have a family-like atmosphere, sometimes including children of all ages as well as pets.  Over time the caregivers and providers become like family and that includes the immediate families of their residents.  Often times, seniors find themselves more and more isolated and, over time, the lack of physical contact takes its toll.  Great improvements can occur when the senior finally gets some much-needed attention, companionship, healthy food, and consistent care and caring.

There are 6 criteria that should be considered when searching for an adult care home:

1. The level of care available: This includes staffing and support as well as the attitude the owner has as it relates to their staff and residents.
2. The environment: This speaks to the quality of the home itself and the other residents that are in the home. For example a resident who is alert and oriented needs other alert and oriented residents with whom to interact.
3. The location: This is important when considering the resident’s immediate family.  Does the family live close enough to have significant interaction and involvement in their loved one’s care.
4. The reputation of the home: This is all about the experience the other residents’ families have had with their loved one who was or is a resident.
5. The ability of the owner to work with a difficult situation and problem solve in collaboration with the family if a resident is not fitting in. This can be a huge factor in having a positive result.
6. The cost: This won’t just be about the initial monthly fee but should also involve clarity on potential base rate and care increases.  If necessary, there should also be clear discussion about transition to receiving state funding assistance as well.

Selecting an adult care home is both an objective and subjective venture because there is “that feeling” when you are in the right home that is very real and can be profound.  Often people just seem to know when they’ve found the right place.

When a resident moves into a home, they are able to keep their own doctors, but a lot of homes have visiting doctors, ARNPs or healthcare professionals, that care for their residents.  These homes may offer a myriad of other services such as hair care, massage, foot care, physical therapy, exercises and activities.

The range of costs for an adult care home is between $3,000 – $9,500 a month depending on the home and the needs of the resident.  The vast majority of homes have a range of $3,500 – $6,000 a month and there are some that simply charge a flat rate regardless of care.  The residents sign a month-to-month contract so there are no long-term commitments required.   Adult family homes may also be covered by Long-Term Care insurance policies, but it is important to read the policy because some of the older policies specifically exclude payment if care is being offered in an AFH.  There are no community fees, entrance fees, or other fees to get into a home, the only upfront cost may be the first month’s rent and care or first and last month’s base rent.

Adult family homes serve an important need in our community.  Since there are over thousands of adult family homes in our area, finding the right place without the support and assistance of a CHOICE advisor can be a daunting task.  Call our main office from 8:30am – 8:30pm, 7 days a week at 1-800-361-0138 for personalized assistance.