Residential care facilities cater to seniors with specific needs and preferences. Many feature cozy living spaces and facilities mirroring single-family suburban homes. They have private and shared rooms, and they typically have 25 or fewer residents living under the guidance of a house manager.
According to the CDC, the United States housed 30,600 residential care facilities in 2020, with over 1.1 million licensed beds and 810,000 residents. In 2020, on average, residential care facilities had 39 beds and 27 residents. More women reside in the facilities or 69.5 percent women and 30.5 percent men. Most residents have an age of 65 or older (94.2 percent), while individuals in the 85-year-old bracket (49.9 percent) make up the largest group. Non-Hispanic Whites made up the most significant share of residential care residents at 88 percent.
Residential nursing homes benefit seniors who require daily assistance but not round-the-clock care. Residential care staff assist residents with daily activities like bathing, dressing, eating, and taking medication. They also provide prepared meals, offer companionship, arrange planned group activities, and manage housekeeping services, including laundry.
Moreover, residential care facilities offer residents several benefits, such as companionship. Residents can build close relationships with each other and staff members. Comfort is another benefit that residents receive. The centers are homely, with cozy furniture, fireplaces, and landscaped backyards. The features differ from nursing homes with institutional designs and formalized schedules.
Residential care centers also have relaxed family visitation rules and give residents a sense of balance between attention and autonomy. Plus, they have safety measures in place to keep residents safe.
However, residential care facilities have some drawbacks, such as limited amenities. Most residential care facilities do not have amenities like on-site gyms, tennis courts, and grooming facilities like salons. They probably do not provide transportation services since the facilities have limited staff.
In addition, residential care centers have limited health care services. Residential care centers often do not have on-site physicians, so there is no one to offer medical interventions in case of traumatic injuries or health emergencies. Instead, they have nurses and social workers on site. The CDC estimates that 64.6 percent of residential care facilities have skilled nursing, 50.6 percent have a social worker, and 57 percent offer mental health counseling. They also provide transportation services to hospitals.
With that in mind, residential care centers serve specific residents better than others, such as residents who need assistance with daily tasks but not regular medical care. Loved ones who require regular medical attention, such as extra personalized care or eating through a feeding tube, benefit from staying at an assisted living facility.
Nonetheless, residential care facilities benefit residents who thrive in small group settings and do not need several outdoor social activities. For individuals who prefer to meet new people and partake in outdoor social activities, an assisted living facility with many residents and amenities provides a better option.
Finally, residential care facilities benefit residents who enjoy autonomy. The centers have fewer planned activities, so residents can plan their daily activities.
