Assisted Living
Why Assisted Living?
We would all like to stay in our homes forever, doing everything for ourselves without
any outside help. Eventually, though, maintaining such an active lifestyle and keeping
up with the responsibilities that come along with it can become a challenge, even
to the point where safety becomes a concern.
Forgetting to take medication, stopping cooking for oneself, having difficulty getting
around because of arthritis, becoming cut off from friends and family; these are
all signs that home just might not be the safest place to be anymore. But what if
a full-service nursing home seems unattractive or excessive for the needs of the
person requiring some help?
One alternative worth considering is an Assisted Living Facility. But what exactly
does that mean?
Assisted Living: An Overview
What Is an Assisted Living Facility (ALF)?
Assisted Living Facilities are a middle ground between independent living and nursing
home care. Residents who require help in the activities of daily life but do not
need the skilled medical care provided in a nursing home can choose the level of
care they require and define their own lifestyle needs.
The advantage of assisted living is that elders can receive substantial care in
a more residential (and less restrictive) environment than a nursing home or long-term
care facility. Since the 1980s, thousands of assisted living facilities have sprung
up in response to the need for a place where elderly and disabled people can receive
care but retain their independence.
ALFs go by many names: domiciliary care facilities, personal care homes, residential
care facilities, adult congregate housing, community residences, and sheltered care
facilities. But whatever they are called, the purpose of ALFs is to provide care
for elders who need help with daily activities but want to retain as much independence
as possible.
Services
Most ALFs provide housing and personalized support services to meet the daily needs
of residents. Residences might be provided in a large house in a community, in a
newly built free-standing structure, or in connection with independent apartments
or a nursing home. The staff of ALFs generally encourage the involvement of residents
and their families, neighbors, and friends in planning programs and creating a supportive
environment
ALFs typically provide the following support services for residents:
- Three meals a day served in a common dining area
- Housekeeping services
- Transportation
- Assistance with eating, bathing, dressing, toileting and walking
- Access to health and medical services
- 24-hour security and staff availability
- Emergency call systems for each resident's unit
- Health promotion and exercise programs
- Medication management
- Personal laundry services
- Social and recreational activities
- ALFs do not provide extensive medical care or skilled nursing
Costs
Residents or their families generally pay the cost of care for ALFs because few
subsidies are available. In some cases, health insurance or long-term care insurance
may reimburse certain costs of the facility. Some state and local governments offer
subsidies for low-income elders in ALFs. Depending on state regulations, your elder
may be eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Medicaid payments.
Experts expect more states to begin offering benefits to pay for assisted living
homes because they are less costly than long-term care and serve the needs of elders
who want more independence. ALFs are owned and operated by both for-profit and non-profit
organizations and costs range widely depending on the room and services provided.
Fees may be inclusive or there may be additional charges for special services. Costs
are generally lower than home health services or nursing homes.
Caring and Independence
Without the supportive care of Assisted Living Facilities, many older people would
be forced to enter nursing homes, often at a higher cost. ALFs provide the independence
that your older relative may want, while offering a range of services to help him/her
manage daily needs. Such a home will also allow your aging parent or relative the
chance to remain involved with the community and socialize with other residents.
If your elder does not require 24-hour skilled medical care, an ALF may be just
right for him/her.
Frequently Asked Questions about Assisted Living and ALFs
Links to Additional Information:
http://www.helpguide.org/elder/assisted_living_facilities.htm
www.longtermcareliving.com
www.alfa.org