Residential care

Residential Care is a type of long-term care given to adults or children who stay in a residential setting rather than in their own home or family home.

There are various residential care options available, depending on the needs of the individual. People with disabilities, mental health problems, learning difficulties, Alzheimer's disease, dementia or who are frail aged are often cared for at home by paid or voluntary caregivers, such as family and friends, with additional support from home care agencies. However, if home-based care is not available or not appropriate for the individual, residential care may be an option.

Types of Residential Care

Residential care settings can include:

• Nursing homes, also known as convalescent homes, are a type of residential care that provide around-the-clock nursing care for elderly people and people with physical or mental illnesses.
• Residential treatment centers (RTCs) are psychiatric institutions that provide long-term care to people with serious mental disorders.
• Assisted living residences or assisted living facilities (ALFs) are housing facilities for people with disabilities. These facilities provide supervision or assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs); ALFs must meet state licensing requirements.
• Group homes are residences intended to serve as an alternative to family foster homes.

Benefits of Residential Care

Residential care offers a number of benefits:

• It provides a safe, secure environment for people who may be at risk if they live alone.
• It offers professional care from trained staff.
• It provides opportunities for social interaction and activities.
• It can provide relief for the individual's family or other caregivers.

Challenges of Residential Care

However, there are also potential challenges:

• It can be expensive, with costs varying greatly depending on the level of care the person requires.
• It may not offer the one-to-one care that a person might receive at home.
• Some people may find it difficult to adjust to a new environment, particularly if they have dementia or other serious illnesses.

See Also

• Home care
• Nursing home care
• Dementia care
• Residential treatment center

Residential care Resources
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