The basics, answered plainly
What is a board and care home (and what's it called in my state)?
One idea, many names — here's how to search for it in your state.
The basics, answered plainly
One idea, many names — here's how to search for it in your state.
Because each state licenses these homes under its own term, searching the wrong word hides the options. To find real, licensed homes, search your state’s licensing term plus your city — e.g. “personal care home” (GA/PA), “adult family home” (WA and others), “family care home” (NC), “residential care” or “board and care” (CA/many) — and then verify the license with the state agency.
It provides non-medical personal care and supervision in a home setting — not the skilled nursing of a nursing home, and usually smaller and more home-like than a large assisted-living community. See assisted living vs group home and group home vs nursing home.
Ask a hospital discharge planner, your state Medicaid or developmental-disability agency, or a local Aging & Disability Resource Center (Eldercare Locator, 800-677-1116). Always confirm the license with the issuing state agency before placing anyone. Our guide to finding a group home that takes Medicaid walks through it.
We are not housing anyone yet, but we are building our waitlist and referral network now — so we open first where the need is greatest. Free, no obligation, and you can track every referral with no login.