How to Open a Residential Care Facility for the Elderly



If elderly care is your area of expertise, or even if it is something you are simply passionate about, you may have considered opening a Residential Care Facility for the Elderly (RCFE). From obtaining an RCFE license to hiring staff members, there’s a lot to do to get started. Understanding a few of the steps it takes could assist you in getting started on the right foot.

Obtain a Facility

There are existing RCFEs you could purchase, but if you want to start from scratch, you should be certain the building will work for the specific needs of your residents. Is there an elevator to the next level of the home? Is the dining room large enough to house everyone? Is there adequate space for beds or wheelchairs to get through? It may be a good idea to not only have a buyer’s inspection, but to contact the fire marshal for an additional inspection.

Acquire a License

An RCFE license is required in the state of California, so it’s one of the first steps you should consider. The courses taken to acquire the license will help you understand elderly residents and their specific needs. It will give you knowledge about medication administration, hygienic care, social interactions and special needs such as dementia and Alzheimer’s. The class is 80 hours long, with 20 done online, so it is a fairly quick process.

Hire a Team of Professionals

There may be a lot of professionals you’ll need to interview for positions in your new facility, so it’s important to get started right away. Some of the individuals to hire include registered nurses, physical therapists and certified nursing assistants. Dieticians, vocational nurses and a host of administrators should also be included.

You may feel overwhelmed with the possibility of running your own facility for elderly residents. Taking the proper steps at the proper time will help you get everything done when it needs to be. Obtaining a facility, acquiring an RCFE license and hiring a team of professionals will get you started right.

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