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 |
1 For more information on state licensing, contact your state’s Agency on Aging. Often, surveys for each licensed home are available.