A residential care home typically houses only a few residents at a time, usually no more than twenty and most often only two to six. Residential care homes are privately or family owned, and employees are sometimes medically trained, but most often they are home care aides or home caregivers. They are called residential care or residential care facilities because they are located in residential neighborhoods and are not in assisted living communities. Depending on your state’s regulations, some residential care homes can operate without a license. It is important to make sure the residential home you are looking into is licensed and certified, as studies have shown that unlicensed board and care homes potentially carry more safety, abuse, and health risks. The easiest and safest way to find a board and care home is to use a senior placement agency. A senior placement agency has tools, resources, and experience that can be invaluable to you and your family as you search for a residential care home that will fit all of your needs. A senior care coordinator is very knowledgeable and usually already has relationships with many of the residential care homes in the local area. A good coordinator will sit down with you and your family to discuss your needs and financial situation and will do their best to calm your fears and anxieties. A senior placement agency is also available 24 hours a day to answer your questions or help with any issues that arise. They will work for you and with you to find the best placement for your aging loved one.