A Residential Care Facility for the Elderly (RCFE) provides 24-hour non-medical care for adults who need support doing everyday activities. This support may include getting dressed, bathing, taking medications, or planning and engaging in social and leisure activities.
The California Department of Social Services’ Community Care Licensing Division licenses RCFEs. A regional center may vendor a facility to meet a person’s goals.
Who is an RCFE for?
RCFEs are for adults 60 years and older with or without disabilities, dementia, or other medical needs. Adults under the age of 60 may live in a RCFE if their needs are compatible with the other residents in the home.
How does it work?
You or your authorized representative can request a visit with the RCFE facility staff to learn more about the RCFE and whether it will meet your goals. When someone requests to move into the facility, they will make sure they have the right living arrangement and skilled staff to meet the health, safety, and comfort needs of each potential resident, as outlined in their licensing requirements.
What can you expect?
Residents are encouraged to be active participants in their daily and long-term planning. Within two weeks of admission into an RCFE, if not prior to admission, the facility will host a meeting with the resident, applicable representatives, family, or any other important people the resident requests, like their home health agency representative.
The people at the meeting will help create a written plan that reflects the person’s care and preferences while living at the facility. The plan will be reviewed and revised at minimum every 12 months, or sooner if the resident experiences a significant change in their condition.
How are family members involved?
Family members and friends are an important part of our lives. Residents are encouraged and supported to include family and friends in their care planning as they see fit.
What else should you know?
There are over 8,000 licensed RCFEs in California, ranging in size from small, community-based homes to larger facilities supporting over 1,000 residents. Most RCFEs have 6-15 beds, are locally owned, and have no more than 2 adults per bedroom. Larger facilities, with 16 or more beds, are often corporately owned and offer single bedrooms and/or apartments.
You may hear RCFEs being referred to as ‘assisted living facilities’ or ‘board and care’ facilities. Assisted living facilities typically are identified as supporting 16 or more adults, whereas a board and care facility generally supports four to six adults. RCFEs are not required to have medical staff (e.g., nurses, certified nursing assistants, doctors, etc.) working in the home.
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