What is an adult family home?

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Adult family homes are an often-overlooked option when it comes to long term care environments. Unfortunately, many people outside of the senior living industry are not even aware Adult Family Homes (AFH’s) exist. Simply put an AFH is a miniature assisted living setting operated in a traditional residential home. These homes are often run by a professional who also lives in the home. It is entirely possible you live near an Adult Family Home without even being aware of its presence. As of this writing there are 202 active Adult Family Homes in Spokane county. For many years an AFH was limited to a maximum of 6 residents at a time. This recently changed as of June 2020 with Washington HB1023 which allows AFH’s to care for up to 8 individuals at a time. As is the case with most assisted living settings the type of care provided can vary quite a bit from home to home and many of these homes specialize in care for individuals with very specific needs such as developmental disabilities or mental health issues as well as more standard senior living needs. Some AFH’s may admit people as young as 18 but for homes specializing in care for the elderly the average age is 86 years old. Females also tend to outnumber males 3 to 1.
 
In terms of the care provided Adult Family Homes offer all of the assistance you would expect from most long term care settings including meals, bathing, dressing, medication, house keeping and other activities of daily living. The biggest difference being the care is provided in a typical residential setting which can provide a much more intimate home like setting. The cost can vary quite dramatically from home to home typically ranging between $3,500 and $6,500 per month. Pricing will depend on a number of factors including the level of care provided and whether you choose a private room or shared room.  Payment options can be as varied as homes themselves. VA benefits may be an option as well as long term care insurance and many will allow for a transition to Medicaid after a period of private payments.
 
If you think you or a loved one may prefer a smaller residential setting to that of a large assisted living community an Adult Family Home may be an excellent option. For additional help finding the right Adult Family Home in Spokane County don’t hesitate to contact a local Certified Senior Advisor (CSA) from Lifestage for a free no obligation consultation to discuss your needs and preferences