Adult Residential Care Homes

BH-8400.6000-040

Residential homes or facilities that offer personal care and individual attention for older adults, people with disabilities and other populations whose limitations prevent them from living alone. Adult residential care homes (which are also known as board and care homes, residential board and care homes, personal care homes or residential care facilities for the elderly) generally provide a room (which may be shared), meals and supervision; and may specialize in populations with specific needs such as people with Alzheimer's disease or those with developmental disabilities. Services vary from facility to facility but may include dietary and housekeeping services, monitoring of prescription medication, social and recreational opportunities, incontinence care and assistance with toileting, bathing, grooming, dressing, mobility and other activities of daily living. Some homes provide secured surroundings for confused elderly adults who may wander while others are unable to accept individuals who are incontinent or who have severe problems with memory loss. There is considerable variation among these homes in terms of size, resident mix, daily charges and services. Most but not all adult residential care homes or facilities are licensed by the state in which they are located.

Area Agencies on Aging

TD-1100.6500-050

Substate organizations authorized under the Older Americans Act of 1965 to develop a comprehensive, coordinated system of community-based services for older adults within their planning and service area. State Units on Aging designate, provide federal and state funding, and monitor operations of AAAs. Eight states and the District of Columbia do not have AAAs and, therefore, serve the roles of both state and area agency. AAA's responsibilities include planning; development of local funding resources; and contracting with local service provider organizations to provide authorized services which include information and referral/assistance, outreach, case/care management, escort, transportation, homemaker/chore, personal care, home repair and rehabilitation, home delivered meals, congregate meals, adult day care, elder abuse prevention, nursing home ombudsman, legal assistance, employment and training, health promotion and disease prevention and senior centers as well as services that support caregivers including respite care, counseling and education programs. AAAs may provide a number of other services in situations where local service provider options are limited.

Elder Abuse Counseling

RP-1400.8000-020.24

Programs that provide individual, conjoint, family or group treatment for older adults who are being physically, sexually and/or emotionally abused by members of their family, and/or for perpetrators of elder abuse. Also included are programs that provide counseling for dependent adults who are victims of abuse.

Elder Abuse Support Groups

PN-8100.0200-200

Mutual support groups whose members are older adults or younger dependent adults who have experienced physical, sexual or emotional abuse or intimidation, unreasonable physical restraint, financial abuse or prolonged deprivation of food and water by their caregivers, children, grandchildren or other individuals who are sharing their homes or are responsible for their care in a residential/nursing facility. The groups meet in-person, by telephone or via the Internet; and provide emotional support, information and resources to help participants recover from their experience.

Elder Law

FT-2450

Programs that provide information and guidance for individuals who need assistance in the area of law which relates to the rights and needs of older adults, especially in the areas of age discrimination, consumer fraud, estate planning and management, living trusts, trust administration, probate, property law, retirement planning, pension benefits, Social Security benefits, Medicaid and Medicare, disability planning, long-term care alternatives, health care decisions, elder abuse, guardianships and conservatorships.

Elder/Dependent Adult Abuse Reporting

PH-6500.0500-180

Programs that accept reports of elder/dependent adult abuse or neglect, assess the reports to determine whether they meet APS standards for intervention and submit those that do to Adult Protective Services workers for formal follow-up (or to other community service providers as appropriate).

Elderly/Disabled Home Rental Listings

BH-3900.3050-180

Programs that maintain lists of available rental housing for review by older adults and/or people with disabilities. These listings may include HUD Supportive Housing for the Elderly (Section 202), HUD Supportive Housing for People with Disabilities (Section 811), HUD Congregate Housing (Section 236) or other housing options for independent living specifically for these populations. Included is information that is available online, in print or in other formats.

In Home Assistance

PH-3300

Programs that provide assistance in performing routine household, yard and personal care activities for older adults, people with disabilities, eligible low income people, families whose normal routines have been disrupted by an emergency or others who need or want these services. The objective of in-home assistance is to help the recipient sustain independent living in a clean, safe and healthy home environment.

Independent Living Communities/Complexes

BH-7000.5100-330

Residential facilities, apartments and/or planned communities for older adults, people with disabilities or other populations that are available at market rates and designed to enable those who are eligible to have a form of independent living in a secure environment while sharing common interests and having access to supportive services and a range of activities designed to promote social contact among residents. Occupancy by families with children may be discouraged. Housing varies widely from simple apartments to high rise condominiums to single family detached housing to housing in a congregate setting; and units may be available on a purchase or rental basis. Support usually consists of "convenience services" which may include an on-site activities program, transportation, housekeeping and meals in a communal dining room. Residents who require additional support need to make their own arrangements for personal care, home health care or other in-home services. These facilities generally require no licensing.

Senior Advocacy Groups

TD-1600.3100-800

Organizations that support the passage and enforcement of laws and other social measures that protect and promote the rights and interests of older adults.

Senior Centers

TC-5500.8000

Multipurpose centers that serve as focal points for older adults in the community and which offer, at a single location, a wide variety of services and activities that are needed by and of interest to this population.

Senior Housing Information and Referral

BH-8500.8000

Programs that maintain information about retirement residences, residential care facilities and nursing homes, and link older adults who are looking for alternative living options with appropriate independent or supervised living resources.

Senior Ride Programs

BT-4500.6500-800

Programs that provide door-to-door (or curb-to-curb) transportation for purposes of medical appointments, shopping, banking, social events, and other similar activities for older adults who need special accommodations and are unable to utilize other available means of transportation.

Therapeutic Foster Homes

PH-6300.8500

Agency-supervised private family homes in which foster parents have been trained to provide individualized, structured services in a safe, nurturing family living environment for children and adolescents with significant emotional or behavioral problems who require a higher level of care than is found in a conventional foster home but do not require placement in a more restrictive setting. Therapeutic foster parents receive special training in mental health issues, behavior management and parenting techniques; and implement the in-home portion of the treatment plan with close supervision and support. They serve as integral members of the team of professionals providing services for the child, get the child to therapy and other treatment appointments, write daily notes about interventions and attend treatment team meetings. Therapeutic foster care is considered the least restrictive out-of-home placement for children with severe emotional disorders.