Senior Residential Care & Group Homes

What is a board and care home?

Board and care homes are small residential care homes with a limited number of residents. They provide housing, meals, supervision, and help with daily activities in a home-like environment, offering a more personal setting than larger assisted living communities, and the caregiver-to-resident ratio is higher.

Board and care home isn’t always the term that’s used. Depending on what state you’re in, you might hear it referred to as a residential care home, adult group home, adult family home, adult foster home, or personal care home.

Most board and care homes include:

Private or shared rooms
Meals and snacks
Housekeeping and laundry
Help with activities of daily living
Medication assistance or management
Supervision and support throughout the day
Social and recreational activities

Specific services vary by home and state, so it's a good idea to clarify what's included before you make a decision.

When might a board and care home be the right fit?

If you or your loved one needs help with daily activities but would feel more comfortable in a more intimate environment, a board and care home or residential care home can be a good option. They provide support in many of the areas senior living communities do — personal care, meals, medication management, and everyday routines — just in a smaller setting.

Signs a board and care home may be a good fit

Help with daily activities is becoming necessary
A smaller residential setting feels more comfortable than a larger community
More individualized attention is important
Meals, housekeeping, and day-to-day support are preferred
Skilled nursing care isn't needed at the moment

How much does a board and care home cost?

Rates for board and care homes, residential care homes, and similar group homes can be different depending on the location, room type, staffing levels, care needs, and services provided. The pricing format can vary too. Some homes charge a flat monthly rate, while others may assess additional fees based on the amount of care that’s required.

When you compare options, you’ll want to consider not only the monthly rate but also which services are included and whether any costs could go up if care needs change over time.

Factors that affect cost

Location
Private or shared room accommodations
Level of care needed
Staffing and caregiver availability
Services included in the monthly rate
Specialized dementia or behavioral care
Additional transportation or personal care services

Tip: When you look at board and care homes, ask who provides the care overnight and how staff respond to emergencies. These details can tell you a lot about the home's level of supervision and ability to support residents when unexpected needs come up.

What's typically included?

Offerings vary, but community fees often cover:

Room and board
Meals and snacks
Housekeeping and laundry
Help with daily activities
Medication assistance
Supervision and support
Some social activities
Transportation services (in some homes)

Services vary by home, so it's a good idea to find out which ones are included and which may cost extra before you decide. If you already receive care at home, ask whether you can continue using your current caregiver or home care agency after moving in, as policies vary by home.

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Compare senior care options

Care option

How it differs from board and care homes

Assisted living: How it differs from board and care homes

Generally larger than board and care homes and may offer more amenities, activities, dining options, and shared spaces.

Memory care: How it differs from board and care homes

Provides specialized support, programming, staff training, and safety features for people living with dementia while only certain board and care homes support residents with memory loss as capabilities can vary.

Nursing home: How it differs from board and care homes

Offers skilled nursing and medical care for people with more complex health needs; board and care homes provide mainly housing, supervision, and some support with personal care.

In-home care: How it differs from board and care homes

Brings support into a person's current home rather than the board and care home experience, which combines housing, meals, supervision, and personal care in a residential setting.

Helpful resources for families

Choosing a board and care home can bring up questions about lifestyle, future care, costs, contracts, and moving. These resources can help families compare options, prepare for community tours, and start planning together.

Explore resources

FAQs

Are board and care homes licensed?

They can be, but licensing requirements vary by state. Your best bet is to ask each home about its license, inspections, staffing requirements, and the types of care it's permitted to provide.

Are board and care homes an option for people with dementia?

Some board and care homes do support residents living with dementia, but staff training, safety features, and types of care provided are different depending on the home, so you'll need to look into the capabilities of each.

How many residents typically live in a board and care home?

There’s no set number that applies to all board and care homes and group homes, though this is influenced by home and state regulations. In general, these are usually much smaller than assisted living communities as the intent is to provide a more intimate environment.

Does Medicare pay for board and care homes?

In most cases, Medicare does not pay for room and board in a board and care home, but some healthcare services may be covered separately, depending on eligibility. It's a good idea to review your available benefits and talk to providers about the costs and payment options before you choose a home.

What should I ask when touring a board and care home?

Seeing the home in person can help you get a feel for the environment, services, and level of support. You'll want to ask about the staffing levels, caregiver training, and licensing, as well as the level of support with medication management. It’s helpful to find out about emergency procedures and how activities, meals, and pricing are structured. Asking how the home supports residents if care needs change over time is a good idea too.

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