Q: What is an Adult Family Home?
A: An Adult Family Home, is one of the living arrangements available to senior citizens who cannot comfortably or safely live alone.
Q: Are there different types of Adult Family Homes?
A: Yes, they generally offer the same type of care, but differ in levels of care offered. In the state of Washington each home is limited to a maximum of 6 residents depending on the ability or size of the home. Some homes may have only 1 room. Many have shared rooms due to size of the home, while some larger ones can offer private rooms. A private room is generally more expensive than a shared one, and a shared room is generally available for clients with limited Medicaid financing, or because of size limitation of the home.
Q: How do I know which type of care facility to place my family member in?
A: Generally there are three basic types:
Assisted Living facilities are for people who are independent in most ways and who are fully cognizant but might need some assistance with daily living activities. Assisted living is a desired place for seniors who do not yet need an adult family home. They are ambulatory, can easily walk to elevators to the lunchroom and activities that are provided, and do not need watching while sleeping during the night. They live as independently as possible in an apartment setting. Assisting living facilities are typically not licensed to give nursing care.
An Adult Family Home is for those who are forgetful, may fall, need help with remembering things, need assistance with activities of daily living, need monitoring or supervision during the day and at night, or who need more intensive help and care. When the senior requires 24-hour specialized care and he/she is at risk for injuring themself, then he/she should consider moving to an Adult Family Home which has both day and night professional licensed care.
A Nursing Home is for those that require more advanced or specialized care in which a typical Adult Family Home cannot provide. A person who has been determined by a physician to have a condition that requires skilled nursing facilities (i.e., they are a danger to themselves or others or have a debilitating condition) would be a candidate for a nursing home.
Q: How can I tell which level of assistance they need?
A: There are qualified assessors who can do an assessment for an average cost of $300.00. Our nurse delegator is a qualified assessor at a reasonable rate. An assessment is required by law to determine your loved one's care needs and create a care plan based on the assessment. The rates are calculated using a base rate plus extra levels of care. You can contact us and we will provide you with information on how to reach our assessor.
Q: Are there specialty type homes?
A: Some Adult Family Homes specialize in ethnic languages and offer ethnic meals to seniors who prefer that. There are also developmentally disabled, dementia, men's only, women's only, mental health, and other specialty homes. Some allow smokers, others do not. Pets are also a factor with some houses.
Broadview Adult Family Home specializes in all types of care such as dementia and mental health and other needs that can be met. For a full list of care we provide, please visit our Services page. We do not allow smoking or live-in pets to ensure a healthy environment free of asthmatic or allergic conditions, however pets are allowed to visit. We also own all our own medical equipment.
Q: Is English the primary language?
A: Yes, it is important that English be understood, comprehended and spoken in order to be able to properly dispense medications and care for the resident via clear communication.
Broadview Adult Family Home staff is diverse and fluent in multiple languages; however, English is the primary language.
NOTE: It's important that the type of foods and language be asked about when touring any Adult Family Home to ensure your loved one will be understood in his/her native language and will receive meals according to their normal usual diet. A change in diet may not be suitable for them.
Q: We are concerned about placing our family member in a care facility as their independence has been important to them. We are feeling confused and guilty about doing so. They don't want to move from their home, and we feel that we should be taking care of them at our home instead of placement. Is it common to feel this way?
A: It is very common and is expressed by many to us when faced with this very difficult decision. Rest assured, caring for the safety of your loved one is a loving gesture. Eventually, dangerous falls and other issues have to finally be acknowledged and addressed by the family or guardian. It can be a daunting task for families to care for an elderly person, and can be distracting from jobs, family, activities, children, and careers, especially if their loved one also has special needs and services required. Many times the responsibility is placed on one family member who then suffers burnout. Often the best solution is to place a family member in a safe, professional yet homestyle environment where care is focused on their needs 24 hours a day.
Q: If my family member declines significantly, do they have to be moved to a nursing home?
A: The term for that is called "Aging in Place". Broadview Adult Family Home is unique in that we allow residents to Age in Place and eventually hospice. The resident is able to live out their remaining time in a familiar comfortable home environment, unless otherwise indicated by a physician. Aging in Place also spares the family from unneeded distress caused by placing their loved one at such a difficult time in a hospital, or nursing home, and the high cost associated with them.
Q: Are the bathrooms handicap accessible?
A: All Adult Family Homes are inspected and required to provide safety bars and grab rails for resident safety and protection. However, that is the extent of the requirements. Other than that, bathrooms are just like any other normal home. Most adult family homes have 1 to 2 bathrooms with adaptive aids that all residents share.
Broadview Adult Family Home has exceeded the basic requirements and has remodeled and expanded all resident bathrooms, specifically with ADA access in mind. All bathrooms are fully tiled and heated and have sizeable, no-curb roll-in showers. This allows a resident with mobility challenges to be safely wheeled in, thus preventing accidents. The toilets are handicap-accessible with easy transfer.
Q: How much does an Adult Family Home cost?
A: Fees are charged accordingly to the level of care required by the resident.
