Residential Care
Residential care is a broad term that encompasses many types of facilities serving all ages: children (under age 18), adults (ages 18 to 59), and the elderly (ages 60 and older). This setting offers 24-hour care and supervision for those who need assistance with basic activities such as dressing and bathing, but do not require skilled nursing care. Residential care includes medication management, social activities, housekeeping, meals, and transportation. The 14,000 residential care facilities in California range in size from 2 to over 100 beds. The costs vary widely and average $3,500 per month, with extra fees for pre-admission and special services. Most people pay out of pocket for residential care, since public funding is very limited.
Such facilities — commonly called assisted living, community care, or board and care — range from small homes to apartment-style buildings or even large campuses. Facilities vary in the type of services and areas of focus provided. Some specialize in serving the developmentally disabled or mentally disabled, or in providing dementia or hospice care.
