Adult Family Homes are licensed residences that provide a safe, clean and well-maintained home with a home like environment for 3-4 adults 18 years or older who because of age, mental or physical disability can not live alone. Residents can receive care and treatment that may include up to 7 hours per week of nursing care per resident. Residents cannot be related to the operator of the home and they must need more care than simple room and board.
An adult family home shall be located in a residential area which is typical of the residential areas of the community, and located so that residents can easily get to community activities and supportive services by walking or by means of convenient private or public transportation. The licensee of the home shall ensure that residents receive the assistance necessary to enable them to get to those activities and services.
Adult family homes must be physically accessible to all residents of the home. Accessibility features as well as those that may be needed by the residents within the home are listed in the regulations.
The licensee is responsible for planning activities and services with the residents to accommodate individual resident needs and preferences. Though it is still the resident's choice to participate, opportunities are to be provided to take part in cultural, religious, political, social and intellectual activities within the home and the community. Services have the goal of assisting, teaching and supporting the resident to promote his or her health, well-being, self-esteem, independence and quality of life.
Individuals must be offered a "Preadmission Consultation" provided by the local County (explained more fully in this site within the Assisted Living introduction). They also have rights which they do not lose upon entering an adult family home. The licensee is responsible for explaining and providing copies of residents' rights and the grievance procedure to the person being admitted, their guardian, family members or any designated representative of the person before the service agreement is signed. Residents rights involve fair treatment, privacy, confidentiality, presumption of competency, self-direction, management of financial affairs, clothing and possessions, choice of social activities, choice of treatment, religion, a safe physical environment, freedom from abuse, freedom from seclusion and restraints, labor, prompt and adequate treatment, medication, mail, telephone calls, visits and service charges. Descriptions of residents' rights may be found in the state regulations.
Licensing and regulations: Adult Family Homes are licensed by the State, receive an initial site visit prior to the granting of the license and then are inspected by the Bureau of Quality Assurance every two years unless there is a complaint which requires a visit. Complaints are made by calling the Southeastern Regional Office of the Bureau of Quality Assurance at (414) 227-5000.
Costs in Adult Family Homes depend on the services and accommodations offered. This needs to be taken into consideration when viewing costs within this site. People pay privately or they may receive funding through special county or state programs. Contact your local County Office for Adult or Elderly services for possible funding information. An Adult Family Home which you find on this site may also be able to give you more information.
Community Based Residential Facilities (CBRFs)
Residential Care Apartment Complexes (RCACs)