Orange County Board and Care Home Neglect Lawyer

Elder abuse and neglect can occur in many different locations and under various circumstances, including at board and care homes in Orange County. When you have an elderly loved one who needs assistance with activities of daily living, or help with meal preparation and taking medications, it often seems like a sensible idea to help that family member move into a board and care home in Southern California or into another type of residential care facility for the elderly (RCFE). Yet similar to nursing home settings, abuse and neglect can occur at board and care homes. If you have concerns about an older adult's safety, you should get in touch with an Orange County board and care home neglect lawyer as soon as possible.

What is a board and care home in Orange County? The term "board and care home" is used to describe a facility that provides residents with certain types of care but, notably, does not provide medical care. A board and care home is a term for a residential care facility for the elderly (RCFE), like an assisted living facility. More precisely, the term "assisted living facility" is often used to describe larger RCFEs, while "board and care home" may be used to describe slightly smaller RCFEs.

Whether you have an elderly loved one in a facility described as a board and care home, an assisted living facility, or an RCFE, you should know that any of these facilities need to meet basic requirements under California law. According to the California Department of Health Care Services, all RCFEs and adult residential care facilities (ARFs) are required to provide services known as Assisted Living Waiver (ALW) services. In turn, facilities that provide ALW services need to "meet licensure and certification requirements set forth by the Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing."

What are the specific requirements for board and care homes in Orange County? The California Department of Health Care Services cites the following as some of the key basic requirements for RCFEs, including board and care homes:

• Employing enough staff to be able to provide care and supervision to residents based on resident health and safety needs;
• Providing private or semi-private bathrooms, and either a dining room or a common activities room; and
• Have licensed nursing home staff on call under some circumstances.

Failure to meet certain requirements can result in liability when a resident suffers harm.

Similar to nursing home settings and other living situations, elder abuse and neglect can occur at board and care homes in Orange County. Common forms of abuse and neglect that occur at board and care homes include but are not limited to:

• Physical abuse;
• Emotional or psychological abuse;
• Passive neglect;
• Willful deprivation;
• Confinement;
• Exploitation;
• Sexual abuse; and

According to the National Council on Aging (NCOA), the forms of abuse cited above can occur at any type of facility, and the signs and symptoms can vary.

When an elderly loved one living in an assisted living facility or a board and care home shows any signs or symptoms of abuse, it is important to speak with one of our Orange County board and care home neglect attorneys. Contact the Southern California Nursing Home Law Group today for more information.