Assisted Living Communities in San Diego have several things in common; long hallways, busy dining rooms with lots of hustle and bustle, and several shifts of staff workers to interact with residents. They tend to have a professional, business-like approach to caregiving. For a relatively younger resident, who may have spent many hours alone with only a television for company, the social opportunities and busy pace of an Assisted Living Community can be stimulating and enriching.
Assisted Living may be a poor fit for a frail older person. Fragile, infirm seniors need a more attentive setting where caregivers are just a room away, not at a distant nursing office. If they have trouble walking without the aid of a walker, negotiating long hallways is difficult. Busy, noisy dining rooms become an annoyance making mealtime and conversation a difficult chore.
The best alternatives to Assisted Living communities are Board and Care homes, also known as Residential Care Homes, RCFEs, and Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly. There are about 500 Board and Care homes located in neighborhoods all over San Diego. They range from very modest small 3 bedroom homes, to large estate homes with 10 or more large private bedrooms.
Board and Care facilities feature home cooked meals in a relaxed setting, just a few caring staff who become like family to the residents, and they have a personalized approach to caregiving. They are usually managed by healthcare professionals, some by Registered Nurses with years of geriatric experience. They specialize in keeping a watchful eye on frail elderly persons who might be prone to falls, who need assistance transferring from sitting to standing, or who need help getting to the bathroom and with bathing. With one-on-one personalized care, changes in mood or health are easier to identify and resolve.
For help locating providers that fit your budget, care needs and location call Care Placement. We’re a free referral service for senior housing. We’re Local! We live and work right here in San Diego. Don’t be shy, call us at (619) 660-8814.