1. What is an Adult Family Home?

2. Why select an Adult Family Home instead of other options ?

3. Is Sipes Adult Family Home Care licensed?

4. Are all Adult Family Homes run by Registered Nurses ?

5. What are the advantages of living in an Adult Family Home run by a Registered Nurse?

6. What specialties are available in Adult Family Homes ?

7. What is important to look for when selecting an Adult Family Home ?

8. Are there any resources available to help find an Adult Family Home ?

What is an Adult Family Home?

Adult Family Homes are designated by the State of Washington as a residence for up to a maximum of 6 clients. The basic intent is to create a home-like setting for the elderly where basic services; such as, meals, cleaning, dressing and other oversight are provided.

The severity of healthcare issues that can be handled is dependent on the experience or training of the owner and caregivers. Minimum services provide little more than personal hygiene and monitoring whether medications are taken. Maximum services can include severe and progressive diseases, dementia and Alzheimer’s, hospice, and complex medical management.

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Why select an Adult Family Home instead of other options?

Ultimately, the decision is driven after the options of in home care or Assisted Living become are no longer possible. The client becomes less able to remain independent. At this point, the choices are between Adult Family Homecare versus a Nursing Home.

The main attraction for an Adult Family Home is the more personal environment. The residence is homelike with many fewer residents. Both loved ones and their families have more influence in the way care is delivered. The caregivers are more consistent and able to concentrate on the needs of each client. Everything is less institutional.

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Is Sipes Adult Home Care licensed?
Adult Family Homes are licensed by the Washington State Department of Health and Human Services (DSHS). There are many state rules that limit types of care, require caregiver education, and review the way services are provided. Every Adult Family Home is inspected annually by a state licensor. Sipes Adult Family Homecare has been licensed since 1992. All three of its sites are inspected each year.

The City of SeaTac licenses the homes for fire, structural, and other safety concerns. Each site is inspected annually.

Cindy Sipes, owner, is a Registered Nurse licensed by Washington State Department of Licensing and Dementia and Mental Health Certified by DSHS. Two of her caregivers are certified as Resident Managers. All of the caregivers are certified by DSHS.

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Are all Adult Family Homes run by Registered Nurses?

No, the majority of the Adult Family Homes in Washington State are owned and operated by individuals with a minimum of Resident Manager certification. Most have no formal training.

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What are the advantages of living in an Adult Family Home run by a Registered Nurse?

Each caregiver can be oriented, trained, and monitored by an individual that understands both the basics of care giving but also has a broader perspective of why things need to be done in specific ways. This allows continual improvement in the way each caregiver provides their care. This may relate to the way a client is assisted in walking, rolled in bed, assured personal hygiene, or has dietary choices that do not put the client in jeopardy.

The Registered Nurse (RN) is only a phone call away when questions arise about activity, nutrition, or medical concerns. This is true for caregivers; but also, families and clients. Daily living or progression of medical issues present questions on a routine basis. Access to physicians is not practical or needed for some ongoing concerns. However, access to an experienced person can be vital.

Immediate triage to changes in health is a distinct advantage. The elderly are more at risk and frail than the general population. Being aware of subtle changes, reacting to falls or skin tears, or assessing client’s for the flu or other routine diseases can provide a measure of security to families. Knowing when a loved one needs to see the doctor or be taken to the emergency room can be very helpful.

Managing healthcare of the elderly loved one can be both demanding and time consuming; especially for the lay person. Not all physicians and pharmacists speak in words or concepts that are clear. The RN not only speaks that language but understands the concepts that are being discussed. Whether it is attending the doctor appointment or translating the information for the family after, the RN can address the care plan and assure it is implemented as the physician envisioned.

A more subtle but very real concern is acting as a bridge between multiple providers. The communication between various physician specialties is not always smooth. Many drugs have interactions that may go undetected as each physician may only know the medications that they have prescribed. The RN can provide the continuity between specialties; as well as, alert the primary provider when other specialties have been consulted.

Lastly, the RN become an effective advocate for the client. Hospitals and Emergency Departments are concerned with demands from Insurers to provide rapid resolution. Sometimes the patient is at risk to “fall between the cracks”. The RN can assist the family in assuring that all medical intervention occurs.
 

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What specialties are available in Adult Family Home?

Many specialties may be available in some Adult Family Homes but it is dependent on the owner and caregiver training. A Registered Nurse or other healthcare trained individual may be able to provide very complex medical management. These could include Dementia or Mental Health, Diabetes management, COPD or respiratory diseases that require oxygen and nebulizers, cardiac management and Hospice.

Dementia and Mental Health certification is available to demonstrate training in that area. Other complex disease management skills should be demonstrated by subspecialty training or experience that can be listed when interviewing the Adult Family Home.

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What is important to look for when selecting an Adult Family Home?

It may seem trite, but a caring environment. The Adult Family Home should be clean, well maintained, and include warm concerned caregivers. Visit the site, talk with caregivers and definitely talk with families or clients.

Secondly, be sure the owner and caregiver have the experience or training to handle your medical needs. Do not take this for granted. Ask questions.

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Are there any resources available to help find an Adult Family Home?

Senior Services, City of Seattle (public listing)
DSHS listing of Adult Family Homes (public listing)
Choice Advisory (private, for profit)