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What Is Board And Care

A graphic that displays the differences between assisted living and residential care homes

Assisted living provides ongoing assistance with activities of daily living in a community based, apartment-style setting. It’s ideal for seniors who need help with some activities of daily living (ADLs) but are interested in leading a social, active lifestyle.

Keep in mind that both assisted living and board and care homes offer less care than nursing homes, and some assisted living communities may have health standards for admitting new residents.

When is assisted living the right fit for a loved one?

Assisted living communities are more like inclusive hotels for retirees and may be the right choice for seniors who:

  • Are looking for restaurant-style dining, happy hours, and activities based on resident interest
  • Would like to live in a suite or larger apartment
  • Need assistance taking medications but don’t require full-time medical care
  • Are looking for new friends or social activities
  • Would enjoy outings to local stores, theaters, and museums
  • Are currently in good health but know they’ll need more help soon
  • Need help with activities of daily living such as dressing and bathing
  • Want a maintenance-free lifestyle without lawn care or home repairs
  • Would prefer an active lifestyle but don’t have access to transportation
  • Would prefer to live in faith-based community, such as Jewish assisted living options
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How much does assisted living cost?

According to Genworth’s annual cost of care survey [01], the median cost of assisted living was $4,500 a month in the United States in 2021.

Because assisted living and residential care homes provide essentially the same services and differ mostly in size and environment, the Genworth survey includes residential care homes in their estimation of assisted living costs. However, this number is still an accurate representation of assisted living costs. This is because the two care types have roughly the same average price, while board and care homes have a wider range of costs.

Assisted living costs depend on many factors, including the following:

  • Size of apartment (a studio, or a one- or two-bedroom apartment)
  • Types of services needed
  • Amenities offered (more expensive communities might include beauty salons, massage therapy, or private dining)
  • Location of the community (states in the Northeast and West usually are more expensive than those in the Midwest and Southeast)

Assisted living communities often charge a flat rate that covers many basic services, with additional fees for special services like cable and transportation.

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