The process of seeking care for your elderly loved one can be confusing as there are so many options and their needs evolve as they age and their age-related symptoms progress.
As the founder and proprietor of a home-based Residential Care Facility for the Elderly (RCFE) in San Diego called Present Moments Senior Living, I am often tasked with explaining the difference between larger assisted living facilities, that house up to 200 residents, and home-based RCFEs like ours, which house around 6 residents.
What is the difference between a larger Assisted Living Facility and a Home-Based RCFE?
Both types of residences offer support for adults who need help with “activities of daily living” (or ADLs) that are essential for self-care and independent living. Examples include:
- Food preparation
- Room cleaning and maintenance
- Bathing & dressing assistance
- Assistance using the bathroom and maintaining personal hygiene
- Transferring into and out of beds and chairs
Assisted living communities are larger than RCFEs, housing 30 to 200 residents, which may have the benefit of a greater variety of activities. They tend to offer a more sterile facility environment, stringent structure and fixed menus. A “one size fits all” approach due to the sheer volume of residents.
RCFE’s provide individualized care with activities geared toward each resident. The environment is that of home and the meals are home cooked with an eye toward resident preferences.
When is it Time to Move from an Assisted Living facility to an RCFE?
A resident in an assisted living facility may transition to a home-based RCFE for a variety of reasons, but many relate to the small population size (around 6 residents) and the personalized experience that a smaller census allows.
Sometimes, for medical reasons, the person responds well to the cozy, home- like environment of an RCFE. For example, if the resident is exhibiting symptoms of Alzheimers or dementia, and needs memory care support, RCFEs can be an ideal setting. RCFEs are usually in regular family homes, and the staff is smaller, providing a consistent experience to help provide personalized care and overcome trust issues.
Perhaps the resident has Parkinsons Disease, or some other movement disorder, and needs increased attention completing certain activities, like getting dressed, etc. The smaller and more familiar staff can create excellent rapport and provide consistent care.
Are RCFEs More Expensive?
Despite providing a more personalized experience, home-based RCFEs are often not more expensive than assisted living facilities, due to a variety of factors. RCFEs are typically located in family neighborhoods, as opposed to expensive commercial districts.
The smaller number of residents allows the RCFE operator more flexibility when programming services. Specific programming can be added or removed based on the preferences of a smaller number of residents. Services like meal preparation can also be optimized to be more personalized to the preferences of the smaller number of residents.
Reach Out Today for Support with Elderly Care
If you live in the San Diego area and would like to speak to one of our compassionate coordinators about yourself or your aging relative, contact Present Moments Senior Living today at (442) 232-2824. We can answer all of your questions and you are welcome to take a tour (virtual or on-site) and meet the staff.
About the Author
Mark Gladden is the Founder and CEO of Present Moments Senior Living, a cozy and comfortable family-run assisted living facility in San Diego.
You can reach Present Moments Senior Living today at (442) 232-2824.
Mark is a U.S. Veteran-in-recovery who has been serving the recovery community of San Diego for a decade as Founder and CEO of Present Moments Recovery, which is an addiction treatment program for adults in San Diego. We care for adults for up to 1 year in our residential program. Present Moments Recovery can be reached at (619) 367-4767.
The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.
