Assisted Living

Senior Assisted Living - Tips for Family Caretakers by Senior-Meals.org

Senior Assisted Living - Tips for Family Caretakers by Senior-Meals.org
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What is Assisted Living?

Seniors who have had a health decline and need help with one or more of their day-to-day activities may consider assisted care. Because seniors who still manage some independent activities should continue doing so, senior assisted living can be the perfect balance between independent living and nursing home care. 

What is Assisted Living?

It is a combination of housing, personalized services, and healthcare. Although senior assisted living does not provide the degree of medical care that nursing home care does, it allows seniors to receive help with the activities of day-to-day life. 
This type of care is ideal for those who cannot function alone in an independent living facility, but do not require the skilled nursing and medical care of a nursing home. Senior assisted living may be known as:
  • Assisted care
  • Residential care
  • Assistive care
  • Adult living facilities
  • Basic living care
  • Personal care
Assisted care provides seniors who want to maintain a level of independence with assistance in:
  • Personal care and hygiene
  • Light medical care
  • Help with household chores and tasks
In addition, assisted care keeps seniors socialized. It ensures they eat an adequate, healthy diet either by providing senior meals or providing help with eating or cooking. It also offers recreational and social activities.  Assisted care can be provided in either an assisted living center, assisted living housing or in-home with family caregivers. 
Assisted Living Housing

Most assisted living housing complexes are designed to look like either a college campus or a subdivision. They generally consist of single-family homes, duplexes or small apartment buildings. In addition, they may have amenities such as:
  • A dining area designed to resemble a small café or a family-style dining room
  • A recreation area where games are played and movies are shown
  • A transportation area, where shuttles run to shopping malls and into towns
  • Some may even have golf courses, swimming pools, and tennis or badminton courses
What is Assisted Living?
In addition, they may also be part of a continuing care community that provides assisted nursing care. They may be affiliated with a nursing home and give all levels of care from continuing care to respite care to hospice care. 

The cost of residing in an assistive care housing community depends on the level of services offered. It also depends on the type of accommodations chosen. There may be an application fee, as well as a monthly fee. The national average for assistive care housing is around $1,500-per-month. 

Adult living facilities allow seniors to operate as independently as possible, while still providing help they need to function. 
Assisted Living Centers

Assisted living centers offer the peace-of-mind of being able to contact help 24-hours-per-day. Night or day, help can be accessed with a phone call. At the same time, both privacy and independent living are strongly encouraged. 

A good assisted care center will evaluate the needs of its residents and will work with each individual to develop a personal plan. This ensures any adjustments needed to accommodations or disabilities are met. This allows seniors the freedom to make their own choices. 

Assisted care centers usually offer accommodations that are similar to hotel rooms. Clients may pay more for private rooms and spouses are allowed to reside together, such as large and spacious suites that may provide microwaves and refrigerators. Services provided at a typical assisted care center include: 
  • Three meals daily, usually offered in a common dining room
  • Housekeeping services
  • Emergency call buttons in each resident's room
  • Management of medications
  • Assistance with activities including bathing, eating, dressing, bathroom needs and walking
  • Laundry services
  • Transportation
  • Social activities
  • Regular access to health and medical services
Assisted living centers usually cost less than assisted care housing. Private, long-term-care insurance may cover assisted care centers. Medicare has no such provisions for coverage, but Medicaid and Supplemental Security income may provide benefits. Seniors with VA benefits may have access to special VA assisted care centers. 

Assisted Living at Home

Assisted living at home is a type of care for seniors who need help with their day-to-day activities, but would prefer to live in their own home versus residing in assisted living facilities. Costs of assisted living at home vary according to caregiver skill level. Seniors may choose family caregivers, home caregivers or home health aides. Care is usually paid for on a per-hour basis. In-home assisted living services can include:
  • The preparation of senior meals
  • Housekeeping services
  • Medical care services
Assisted care at home is covered by both private insurance and Medicaid. 

Assisted Living Agencies

Deciding between assisted living facilities and in home assisted living is difficult. There are several assisted care agencies that provide help and information. It is important to check with assisted care agencies located within the state of the client's residence as state laws, rules and regulations may vary. 
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