Assisted Living Facilities for Seniors

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Assisted Living Facilities for Seniors

Assisted Living offers the best of both worlds for seniors who need ongoing help with personal care and typical daily activities yet who wish to retain their independence to the fullest extent that they can.
In This Article:

* What is an Assisted Living Facility?
* Assisted Living vs. other types of housing
* Candidates for Assisted Living
* Types of Assisted Living Facilities
* Assisted Living Facility services
* Special needs provided in an Assisted Living
* Choosing an Assisted Living Facility
* Costs of an Assisted Living Facility
* References and links

As the Baby Boomers enter their retirement years, it's inevitable that some of these seniors, who may once have headed companies or traveled the globe, might start to need assistance with day-to-day activities. But they are understandably reluctant to forfeit their independence. Someone accustomed to managing a business (or a family) can have a difficult time acknowledging that they forget to take their medication, or need help getting bathed and dressed. Because they do not need daily medical care at this point, Assisted Living can be a good housing option.

What is an Assisted Living Facility?

An Assisted Living Facility provides care for seniors who need some help with activities of daily living yet wish to remain as independent as possible. A middle ground between independent living and nursing homes, Assisted Living Facilities aim to foster as much autonomy as the resident is capable of. Most facilities offer 24-hour supervision and an array of support services, with more privacy, space, and dignity than many nursing homes—at a lower cost.

There are approximately 33,000 Assisted Living Facilities operating in the U.S. today. The number of residents living in a facility can range from several to 300, with the most common size being between 25 and 120 individuals.
Assisted Living Facilities are also called:

* Personal care homes
* Residential care facilities
* Domiciliary care
* Sheltered housing
* Community residences

An Assisted Living Facility helps seniors with personal care (also called custodial care), such as:

* bathing
* dressing
* toileting
* eating
* grooming
* getting around

Daily contact with supervisory staff is the defining characteristic of an Assisted Living Facility. Medical care is limited in an Assisted Living Facility, but it may be possible to contract for some medical needs.

The key characteristics of Assisted Living Facilities include:
Key Characteristics of Assisted Living Facilitie

* Activities of Daily Living (dressing, personal care); comprehensive assistance
provided

* Community Activities (social events, outings, golf, etc.); some activities
offered

* Community Services (laundry, cleaning, etc.); many / most services provided

* Health Services (medications, nursing care);some services provided; not skilled
nursing

* Environment (personal freedom); residents are somewhat independent

* Overall Health (physical, emotional); residents have average health problems

Adapted from SeniorHousingNet®

How does Assisted Living for Seniors differ from a Board and Care Home, Nursing Home, or Congregate Housing?

Assisted Living Facilities offer help with activities of daily living (personal or custodial care), but no or very little medical care. Board and Care Homes and Congregate Housing have been around for many decades, and offer about the same services as an Assisted Living Facility. Many Board and Care homes are set up to serve just two to six residents in a converted single family home though some are converted apartments; but Congregate Housing and Assisted Living Facilities generally serve larger numbers of residents. Congregate Housing was originally government subsidized housing, but nowadays various types of senior communities call themselves “congregate housing.” In recent decades, as more and more Assisted Living facilities have been created with different combinations of services, the differences between Board and Care, Congregate Housing, and Assisted Living have become blurred to the point that all three are often considered varieties of Assisted Living.

An Assisted Living Facility differs from a Nursing Home in that:

* an Assisted Living Facility does not offer extensive medical care, as a
nursing home does, and
* an Assisted Living Facility places greater emphasis on personal privacy and
autonomy.

A nursing home is set up for people who need skilled medical professionals providing them care and services on a daily basis.
Appropriate candidates for Assisted Living

It's estimated that one million Americans currently live in Assisted Living Facilities. Assisted Living residents can be young or old, affluent or low income, frail or disabled. A typical resident is a widowed or single woman in her eighties. Residents may suffer from memory disorders, or simply need help with mobility, incontinence or other challenges. Assisted Living is appropriate for anyone who can no longer manage to live on their own but doesn't require medical care.

Assisted Living Facility residents may need help with activities of daily living, including:

* bathing
* dressing
* toileting
* grooming
* cooking/eating
* getting around
* housekeeping
* transportation

If a senior needs a number of services, an Assisted Living Facility may become a more economical alternative to home care services.

An Assisted Living Facility is often the first stop for an elder who needs to get help with daily living. Some residents move on to a Nursing Home; others may come to Assisted Living from a Nursing Home or hospital after a period of rehabilitation.
Types of Assisted Living Facilities available

While Assisted Living Facilities are residential in character, there is no standard blueprint because consumers' preferences and needs vary so greatly. Assisted Living residences can range from a high-rise apartment constructed as an Assisted Living Facility, to a converted Victorian home, to a renovated school. They can be free standing or housed with other options, such as independent living or nursing care. They may be studio apartments, or one-bedroom apartments with scaled-down kitchens.

An Assisted Living complex will typically be built with 25 to 110 units, varying in size from one room to a full apartment. This larger type of Assisted Living Facility may have a group dining area and common areas for social and recreational activities.
Services provided in an Assisted Living Facility

The basic services an Assisted Living Facility provides include:

* Three meals per day, often served in a restaurant-like setting, with menus
and salad bars
* 24-hour supervision
* Personal care assistance (bathing, dressing, grooming, eating)
* Housekeeping and laundry
* Transportation
* Minor medical supervision, such as assistance with medication
* Security and emergency call systems
* Health and exercise programs
* Social, cultural and educational activities

In addition, some facilities offer:

* Recreation rooms
* Exercise rooms
* Outdoor gardens
* Libraries
* Chapels

An Assisted Living Facility may also arrange for residents to receive senior services in the community, such as adult day care, shopping and recreation, and may provide social work assistance to coordinate these services.
Special needs met in an Assisted Living Facilities for seniors

Some Assisted Living Facilities can handle special needs, such as:

* Cognitive disabilities
* Short-term care
* Respite Care (to give regular caregivers a break)
* Interim medical care after a hospital stay
* Alzheimer's
* Parkinson's
* Terminal illnesses (Hospice Care)

Choosing an Assisted Living Facility

The resources section offers several comprehensive checklists to use when visiting different Assisted Living Facilities. In general, keep these points in mind:

1) Living area and accommodations:

* Is the community well-designed for residents' needs? Does it include safety
features?
* What types of units are available and how much does each cost?
* Does the staff greet you warmly? Do they call residents by name?
* Do residents socialize with each other and appear happy?
* Talk with some of the residents. Do they seem like people whom you'd enjoy
getting to know?
* Do residents have a choice of eating in common dining areas or their own
units?
* Is the food nutritious, appetizing, and prepared according to dietary
restrictions?
* If you have a pet, find out whether pets are welcome in your residence.

2) Personal care/services:

* What professionals are on staff?
* What are their qualifications and availability?
* Are the custodial care services offered what you want and need?
* What social, recreational and fitness programs are available?

3) Licensing and costs:

* Does the facility meet local and state licensing requirements?
* Is government, private, or corporate assistance available?
* What are the costs, including any additional fees for extra services?
* Do residents receive a written service plan that is periodically reviewed and adjusted?

Costs of an Assisted Living Facility

Assisted Living Facilities are owned and operated by both for-profit and non-profit organizations and can range in cost from $800 to $4,000 a month or more, depending on where you live. Fees may be inclusive or there may be additional charges for special services. Costs are generally lower than for home health services or nursing home care.

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