State Differences in Residential Care Services

State Differences Between Residential Care Homes

Just as the exterior of every residential care home is not the same, the residential care services they offer will differ depending on which state they’re in. Although each care home provides residential care services for elderly adults, the specifics of the care offered changes within each state border. For example, some states require nursing oversight in each home. Some states don’t have set legal standards.

Update: January 2018

State	Arizona	California	Georgia	Oregon	Texas	Washington
What is the state’s most common name for a RCH?	Group Home	Board and Care Home	Personal Care Home	Adult Foster Home or Adult Care Home	Care Home or Group Home	Adult Family Home
Does the state have set legal standards?¹	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
How many residents are typically allowed to reside in a RCH?	Depends on size of home, usually 4 to 6	Typically licensed for 6 to 8	2 and up; state licensing board decides	5 residents or less	Typically 4 to 6	No more than 6
What is the typical staff-to-patient ration?	2 caregivers to 6 residents	2 caregivers to between 6 & 8 residents	1 caregiver to between 3 and 6 residents	1 caregiver to 5 residents	2 caregivers to 6 residents	1 caregiver to 5 residents
What is the typical cost of a RCH?	Shared room: $2000; private room: $2500	Comparable to assisted living: as high as $3500 base (plus care) for shared room, or under $1000 for Supplemental Security Income rates	Shared room: $1200 to $1500; private room: $1500 to $2000	Few shared rooms available: start at $1400; private room: start at $2000	Shared room: $2200; private: $3000	Shared room: $3000; private room: $4000
Is nurse involvement typical?	Rarely	Some run by nurses; some have nurses contracted for services	No	A nurse must delegate care at each home	Varies; usually at homes with mid-to high-level care	Yes, nursing oversight is required
Are skilled nursing needs ever met?	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
How do patients pay?	Usually private; some Medicaid	All private pay	Usually private; some accept state funds	Private pay or Medicaid	Private pay	Private pay; some allow Medicaid