Small Board-and-care Homes

Book excerpt: Small board-and-care homes have existed informally for many years as alternative settings for long-term care. Typical residents have been discharged from another facility with some physical or mental impairment. Most are women over the age of 75 with minimal financial or social resources. While these homes are often viewed negatively as warehouses for the ill and under privileged-they are now growing in numbers and receiving increased attention for their ability to provide a loving environment and customised care at a modest cost.