---
title: "What Is Board and care home? Home Care Glossary | HomeCare.com"
description: "A board and care home is a small residential home that provides a room, meals, housekeeping, and help with personal care. Many serve about 20 or fewer..."
url: https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/board-and-care-home/
publisher: HomeCare.com
phone: 800-974-3458
start: https://care.homecare.com/?source=homecare.com
---

Types of care

# Board and care home

A board and care home is a small residential home that provides a room, meals, housekeeping, and help with personal care. Many serve about 20 or fewer residents. They usually do not provide nursing or medical care. Names and licensing rules vary by state.

## Why it matters for your family

Board and care homes feel more like a family home than a large facility. Staff help with meals, bathing, and daily tasks. Because homes are small, residents may get more personal attention. Rules differ, so ask whether the home is licensed, who is on duty at night, and what happens if care needs grow. A common mistake is assuming the home can handle medical needs. Most cannot. Other names for similar homes include residential care home and group home. Families can check a home with the state licensing agency and the long-term care ombudsman.

Source: [nia.nih.gov](https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/assisted-living-and-nursing-homes/long-term-care-facilities-assisted-living-nursing-homes)

## Related terms

-   [**Adult foster care**Adult foster care, also called adult family home care, places an adult who needs help in a private home with a trained caregiver.](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/adult-foster-care/)
-   [**Assisted living**Assisted living is a residential setting for people who need help with daily tasks but not the full medical care of a nursing home.](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/assisted-living/)
-   [**Long-term care ombudsman**A long-term care ombudsman is an advocate who works to resolve problems about the health, safety, welfare and rights of people in long-term care facilities.](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/long-term-care-ombudsman/)
-   [**Nursing home**A nursing home is a residential facility that provides round-the-clock supervision, nursing care, meals, help with daily activities, and often rehabilitation.](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/nursing-home/)
-   [**Memory care**Memory care is specialized residential care for people with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/memory-care/)
-   [**Private pay**Private pay means a family pays for care directly from its own money.](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/private-pay/)

[All glossary terms](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/)

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