Assisted living is often viewed as the best of both worlds. Residents have as much independence as they want with the knowledge that personal care and support services are available if they need them. Assisted living communities are designed to provide residents with assistance with basic ADLs (activities of daily living) such as bathing, grooming, dressing, and more. Some states also allow assisted living to offer medication assistance and/or reminders. Assisted living communities differ from nursing homes in that they don’t offer complex medical services.
Assisted living communities range from a stand alone residence to being one level
of care in a CCRC (continuing care retirement community). The physical environment
of an assisted living is often more appealing to both potential residents and their
families. These communities offer a more home-
WHO NEEDS ASSISTED LIVING
Assisted living residents are usually seniors who have had a slight decline in health
in some way and need assistance performing one or more activities of daily living
(ADLs). Seniors who would like to live in a social environment with little responsibilities
and a place where care is easily accessible whenever the senior may need it are the
type of seniors you will find in an assisted living community. Statistically, the
most common resident of an assisted living community is a female in her mid-
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN INDEPENDENT LIVING, ASSISTED LIVING, AND NURSING HOMES
Independent living is a level of care that is below assisted living. Independent living communities are considered to be any form housing that is targeted to seniors over the age of 55. Independent living can include apartments as well as single family homes or townhouses. Typically there are activities planned for the members of the community as well as minimal assistance with yard work or other maintenance issues. Residents maintain as much independence as possible and are still able to perform all of the activities of daily living.
Nursing homes are for older adults who require care around the clock at and at a much higher level than those who reside in an assisted living community. Nursing homes provide staff nurses 24 hours a day.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE RESIDENT’S LEVEL OF CARE NEEDS TO INCREASE
Many assisted living communities allow the resident to age in place. Communities
are able to do this because many have care available on-
WHAT TYPES OF ACTIVITIES AND AMENITIES DO YOU FIND AT MOST ASSISTED LIVING COMMUNITIES
Typically, all assisted living communities offer their residents prepared meals three times a day and help with light housekeeping and laundry. Depending on the community, residents may have access to a fitness center, swimming pool, beauty salon, post office and transportation. Communities will also plan events, activities and trips that residents can participate in that are anything from happy hour to concerts. Assisted living communities range from very small homes to very large campuses and therefore, amenities vary community to community. Another important aspect of assisted living is that most communities recognize that being able to keep a pet is very important to the resident, and therefore many assisted living communities will allow the senior to bring a pet as long as he or she is able to take care of it.
HOW ARE ASSISTED LIVING COMMUNITIES REGULATED
Assisted living is regulated at the state level. Because of that, every state has their own policies that define and regulate what care and services are required for an assisted living community to meet the state standards.
States set regulations to clearly distinguish an assisted living community from other
long-
HOW MUCH DOES ASSISTED LIVING COST
The national average for a private one bedroom apartment in an assisted living community is a little over $3,000 ($36,000 annually). These prices parallel the cost of living in a certain area. This price will also change depending on the room size, for example a shared apartment will be less expensive and a two bedroom or larger apartment will be more expensive than that average.
HOW DO YOU PAY FOR ASSISTED LIVING
Assisted living is typically paid for from private funds, but there are a few exceptions.
Some long-
If the resident was a war veteran or is the spouse of a war veteran, he or she might qualify for Veteran’s Benefits that can be used to help pay for assisted living.
In a limited number of states, Medicaid funds and waivers are available to help with assisted living costs.
A memory care environment is designed for individuals with a level of cognitive impairment that makes it unsafe for him or her to continue to stay at home. They typically do not require the intensive care of a skilled nursing facility, or nursing home, but nonetheless need increased safety and security.
Memory care communities are often incorporated as separate care units of assisted
living communities. In memory care, memory-
Memory care units are typically secured with alarmed or locked areas to help prevent
residents from wandering off. Usually within these secured areas, residents can
enjoy indoor walking paths, outdoor paths, or garden areas. Common area spaces are
provided for socialization, meals, and special activities. With the help of trained
staff members, there are often times scheduled activities and programs designed to
enhance memory. The decor of memory care facilities varies greatly, but most strive
to achieve a home-
At one time, it was thought that progressive memory loss was a “normal” sign of growing old. Many seniors have come up with the catch phrase “senior moment.” But memory loss is no laughing matter, nor is significant memory loss a normal sign of aging.
There are actually very few cognitive changes that accompany aging. As we age, the speed at which we process information may slow, making it more difficult to recall places, dates, names etc. However, if no major diseases are present, memory and/or cognitive function may actually improve as we age. Progressive memory loss, therefore, is likely a sign of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) or other forms of senior dementia.
Alzheimer’s disease currently affects more than 4 million Americans. Risk factors include age, heredity, gender, ethnicity, and poor intellectual ability and difficulty with complex thinking. Women, on average, are at greater risk than men of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
If there is one cardinal rule when it comes to memory problems, if you or a loved one feel there is a problem, you need to be evaluated by your health care provider sooner rather than later.
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Your loved one needs care outside of their home. They don’t just need a place that
looks fancy and says they give good care. They need and deserve a safer care option.
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