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anonymous273791 Asked March 2017

Should I use a licensed residential elder care home for 6 or a room and board supervision home for 6?

The difference in the 2 types of homes is medication management, licensing and price. However, my mother only takes 2 Sena (sp?) pills daily. The elder care home she currently lives in is closing. Currently there are no private rooms available in similar licensed care homes in her home town area. However, there is a private room available in a room and board only home. This room and board home is a former licensed elder care home where the owner was ill for some time and voluntarily gave up her elder care home license and had her clients moved to other area homes. Now this owner has recovered and along with her sister who lives with her in the home will rent a private room to my mother and provide 24/7 care of everything for my mom except her medication management. My mother will have to ask for her Sena pills and take them without any assistance from the staff. The cost for this room and board only home is $2000 a month vs. $5000 for a private room in a licensed elder care home - if there was even a space available. My mother is really very healthy and is only in the elder care home because she is a fall risk. The room and board home will provide 24/7 assistance to my mother with all food preparation, bathing, laundry, cleaning, dr. appts, hair appts., etc., everything the licensed care home provides except for the medication management. My mother is completely able to ask for her Sena pills every morning and evening and she takes them herself without assistance. The arrangement in the room and board home sounds ideal for my mother and my mother is happy with the home and the price. She absolutely refuses to pay $5k a month for care, which is $1k more than she is paying in the home she is currently in which is closing this May. My mom really only needs supervision when she is moving around with her walker to make sure she doesn't fall. Her balance is totally gone. Other than that, she has no dementia, no heart or any other health problems. Really, just a fall risk. So is it really necessary for us to pay for licensed elder care with medication management or could we get by with just paying for 24/7 supervision and assistance without medication management, i.e. room and board? And what concerns should I have with going with the room and board only option? What should I ask for in a rental contract with the room and board home? The room and board owners have a very good reputation in the elder care community, gave their license up because of known health issues, and just don't want to have to adhere to all the education requirements required by the state licensing board.

aalfch Mar 2017
Yes do your research, sometimes homes are closing because of cost of care, not being able to maintain the business needs etc so you can close your home at your choice that does not mean that the state  forced them too. I have family care homes and I love what I do. Those ranges are normal ranges for private pay. I just suggest you do your research and find a nice home that will meet your mothers needs and that is cost effective for you. Everyone situation is different and sometimes those prices can be negotiated.

97yroldmom Mar 2017
Pam makes a good point. It shouldn't be a problem to check that out. How many of the 6 are already at this home since they've reopened and for how long? What does your mom want to do? As far as the contract goes, compare it to the one from the other location. Make sure they have adequate insurance. Consider having an attorney look it over. How far away are you? Let us know what you decide.

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pamstegma Mar 2017
Nobody gives up a license unless they are being pressured by the health department. Look at the official records before you decide.

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