Assisted living is not the only option available for older adults who need care. Another option is a residential care home, also referred to as a personal care home.
What is a personal care home?
Personal care homes are houses in residential neighborhoods that are equipped, and staffed to care for a small number of residents, usually between two and 10. These homes provide a higher level of than assisted living communities but usually lower than what a nursing home (skilled nursing facility) provides. This means personal care homes can help with daily routines but typically don’t provide 24-hour skilled nursing assistance.
Each home is different in that some home provide a high level of care while others focus on the basics. Hence, it is important that you find out what services each home is able to provide to ensure that the home will be able to meet your loved one’s needs.
When is a personal care home the right fit for a loved one?
Personal care homes may be a better fit for elderly loved ones who:
Have Alzheimer’s or dementia – the small nature of PCH helps reduce anxiety and stress for your loved one.
Prefer a cozy, intimate, and homelike environment
Need some help with everyday tasks like 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, like housekeeping
Benefits of personal care homes
Personal care homes offer some great and unique benefits which can be credited to their small size and care models.
Personal Attention: Due to the small nature of personal care homes, residents are able to get more one-on one attention as the staff have the ability to dedicate more time to each individual resident. It also helps reduce the chance of a health change or illness slipping through the cracks.
Family Involvement: Because of the smaller staff size and number of residents, residents’ families will have more direct access to the home’s director or managers. Having a direct relationship and access to the home’s upper managers can provide families with peace-of-mind and make it easier for them to stay involved with their loved one’s care.
Independence and Autonomy: Like assisted living facilities, care homes allow seniors to receive the care they need while maintaining independence in other areas of their lives. Care homes also typically offer less activity programming than different types of senior living. This gives residents more freedom to pursue their interests on their own terms and not be limited to the day’s activity schedule.
Location: Care homes are typically converted single-family residences, so they tend to be located in residential neighborhoods. Seniors who have always lived in rural and suburban areas may prefer this environment over the area in which one would find a large apartment complex-style community.
Safety: Many residential care homes are outfitted with emergency alert systems and/or provide personal emergency alert devices for all residents. Having these extra measures in place can help seniors stay much safer compared to aging in place independently.
Southern Comfort Senior Living is a licensed personal care home dedicate to providing a high level of care to our residents. At Southern Comfort Senior Living, we listen to the needs of our residents in order to understand their limitations and discuss potential solutions. We work with our residents and their families to customize options that will help them lead the lives they want and deserve. We provide around the clock care with staff and management available 24/7.
Contact us today to find out if Southern Comfort Senior Living is a great fit for you or your loved one.
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