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What Is the Difference Between a CBRF and a Nursing Home?

When looking for a facility to care for an elderly loved families may struggle to understand the difference between a CBRF and a nursing home. Here, we will examine the differences between the two, including what services each provides and how they are defined by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. 

We will also review what you should do if you suspect that a loved one is being abused in a nursing home or CBRF. If you believe this to be the case, please get in touch with the Madison nursing home abuse attorneys at Boller & Vaughan today.

What Is a Nursing Home?

When looking at the difference between a CBRF and a nursing home, it is important to understand how each is defined. A nursing home, as defined by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, is “A place where five or more people (who are not related to the operator) live because they need 24-hour nursing care.” 

These facilities are licensed by the Department of Health Services and must comply with state and federal regulations at all times. 

Many families choose to place an elderly loved one in a nursing home because their care needs are too great for the family to manage on a daily basis. This can include serious physical limitations, such as arthritis, or mental conditions, such as dementia. 

Regardless of the reason, nursing homes are designed to meet the needs of aging individuals who are no longer able to care for themselves and usually need some degree of specialized, regular daily care.

What Services Do Nursing Homes Provide?

Nursing homes provide regular medical care and attention, including:

  • Physical therapy
  • Medication management
  • Rehabilitation services
  • Health monitoring
  • Memory care
  • And more

But they also help their residents with daily needs, such as bathing and grooming, dressing, and toileting. They will also provide meals – tailored to a resident’s dietary restrictions – along with housekeeping, laundry, and more. 

Beyond watching over the physical health and hygiene needs of residents, most nursing homes also provide social and recreational activities, including exercise classes, outings, and other opportunities for community socialization. 

What Is a Community-Based Residential Facility (CBRF)?

A significant difference between a CBRF and a nursing home is that while also a type of assisted living facility, CBRFs – unlike nursing homes – do not provide 24-hour nursing care. 

According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, CBRFs “are places where five or more unrelated people live together in a community setting.” The Wisconsin State Legislature further defines CBRFs as giving care to people who “do not require care above intermediate level nursing care” and require no more than 3 hours of care per week. 

However, CBRFs do still require proper licensure, inspection, and regulation from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. 

What Services Do CBRFs Provide?

Another difference between a CBRF and a nursing home is that CBRFs provide far fewer medical services than nursing homes. According to the Department of Health Services, they typically only provide room and board, supervision, and support services. 

However, the list of services that some CBRFs provide can be quite extensive, including:

  • Bathing and grooming help
  • Dressing assistance
  • Transportation
  • Meal preparation
  • Housekeeping
  • Medication management
  • Health monitoring
  • And more

Many CBRFs also have extensive community programming, including activities centered around exercise, entertainment, and wellness programs. We recommend reviewing a CBRF’s literature for a full list of services and activities provided. 

What If I Suspect Abuse in a Nursing Home or CBRF?

While CBRFs do not provide the same level of attention or care as nursing homes, residents of CBRFs – just like nursing home residents – do experience various forms of neglect and abuse. 

If you suspect this to be the case with your loved one, you need to take some important steps right away:

  • Seek medical treatment: If your loved one needs it, the first step is always to make sure they receive the medical attention they need for any injuries they have sustained.
  • Document the abuse: If you begin to see signs of abuse – whether it be physical signs such as bruising or mental signs such as changes in behavior – you should document it as soon as possible. This can include taking pictures or videos and keeping a diary of your observations and corresponding dates. 
  • Report the abuse: You should get in contact with the facility’s administration immediately to express your concern and present your documentation. You may also want to contact the police to report the abuse.
  • Move your loved one: If you are able to move your loved one to another facility or bring them home temporarily, that may be the best option until the situation is resolved. 

Being proactive is extremely important if you suspect abuse; you should never wait and hope that a situation resolves itself – after all, it might continue to get worse. 

Contact a Madison Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer for FREE

Another step you should take if you suspect abuse is to get in touch with a nursing home abuse attorney. An attorney will help you evaluate your situation, gather evidence, and – if appropriate – pursue compensation against the nursing home or CBRF for the damages you and your loved one have sustained. 

After all, the consequences of nursing home abuse can be significant, including medical bills, the cost of moving your loved one, the pain and suffering they have experienced, and more. 

Having a trusted, compassionate attorney at your side, fighting for your rights, can be very beneficial as you navigate your legal options and path forward. 

To get started, call the nursing home abuse lawyers at Boller & Vaughan today at (608) 268-0268 for a FREE consultation and we’ll be here for you. Boller & Vaughan proudly serves clients in Madison and throughout Wisconsin.