Adult Family Home – What is it, and is it right for your loved one?

Living alone feels good when you are a young adult stepping out of your parents’ home. But when you are a retired old man – or woman – living alone comes with many difficulties and complications. This is why we recommend looking into an adult family home for your loved ones.

The transition from a healthy adult with high energy to an old person with deteriorating health and a different perspective on life, is a difficult one. No one can stop aging. Trust us, we know many people who have tried. Instead, what we can do is, make this transition easier for our loved ones. And what is a better way than to give them a home with roommates who are going through the same transition? Yes, we are talking about an adult family home.

What is an Adult Family Home?

Adult family homes are much like foster care homes, but for people over the retirement age. The concept is similar to nursing and elderly homes. It is basically a traditional house on a residential property that provides living space and care to the elderly. The main difference is that adult family homes cater to a small number of people rather than a large community.

Adult family homes can be called adult foster homes, personal care homes, and adult care homes. The residents can choose a private or shared personal room. They also have access to a shared living room and many small activities to keep them content and happy. These homes mostly have live-in staff that includes nurses, cooks, caretakers, and many other people. The patients can get home-cooked meals every day.

Benefits of an adult family home

Nursing care facilities work in proper ways, creating an institutionalized environment full of skilled and expert workers to take care of the residents. On the other hand, adult family homes are famous for their cozy and homey environment in addition to skilled staff members and certified nurses and caretakers.

Another benefit of an adult family home is that the residents can get undivided attention since the staff-patient ratio is much less than that in institutionalized care homes. The staff tries their best to create a safe and chill environment to make the residents comfortable. This helps people accept it as their home and live happily.

People with deteriorating conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s need special care and attention. This is one of the best advantages of an adult family home, the staff goes to great lengths to make patients with dementia or Alzheimer’s at ease and takes care of them with complete attention and expertise.

Moreover, adult family homes encompass a small number of residents. This means that all the residents can easily form close bonds and be there for each other. They can enjoy each other’s company and feel less lonely.

Some other benefits of adult family homes include supervision, medicament management, health management, daily activities, personal care, and provision of social services.

All these services ensure that your loved one will have a great time living at one of these homes. Now, that you are considering it, let’s discuss money.

What are the living costs of an adult family home?

It’s past 2020, and the cost of living has never been this high. Nursing facilities and old-age homes can cost anywhere between $80,000 to $150,000 annually, depending on whether it’s a private room or a shared room. In contrast to that, adult family homes are relatively cheaper.

According to the Genworth Cost-of-Care Survey, the annual cost of an adult family home is almost $52,000. You can save almost half the money and put it towards the care of your loved ones.

Many insurance companies, such as Medicare and Medicaid offer benefits. They may cover the complete cost or the partial cost of an adult family home. You can confirm it with your insurance manager, and they will guide you about your options.

Things To Consider When Choosing An Adult Family Home

Many aspects of adult family homes are attractive to people. It has advantages in terms of cost, living standards, and the services too. But there are still some things you should consider when choosing an adult care home. After all, you have got to make sure it is the right choice for your loved ones.

The first and foremost thing to consider is the needs of your loved ones. How is their health? Do they need constant hospital visits? Do they need emergency care? Is bonding with others important for them, or are they a lobe wolf? What kind of activities do they prefer?

These are just some questions you have to ask yourself. Most adult family homes have skilled nurses, but they lack the resources that a proper nursing facility has. Adult family homes might not have emergency care services or constant live-in health management staff.

It is also important to consider what kind of activities are available and if your loved one would enjoy them. Another factor to consider is whether or not your loved one would be comfortable in a small home-like environment with a lot of shared spaces with at least 5-8 people.

You should also consider and compare the cost of adult family homes with that of nursing facilities. Look into insurance plans and what they can support. Don’t forget to consider the facilities you can and cannot afford. It is a big step that helps you reach your desired place quickly, just keep cutting down options you can’t afford, and you will soon have one that just might be right for your loved one.

It will also be convenient if you can find an adult family home near your workplace or house. Visits can be easier and more frequent. You will also be available and close in case of any emergency.

Another thing to look for is the licensing and regulations of the family home you are considering. The licensing of adult family homes varies from state to state, but it can be a great start to check out their license to know more about the home and the services they offer.

Final Words

Adult family homes can be a great choice for your loved one. It is certainly worth considering if you want your loved ones to feel at home. We, at Cascade Valley, understand your needs and so provide the best facilities to your loved ones. Contact us today and find out more about the services we offer. We are sure we can be the best home for your loved ones.