Assisted Living
What Is Assisted Living?
Similar to the lifestyle of Independent Living Communities, senior adults who qualify for Assisted Living (AL) live in apartments in a group setting and enjoy the freedom to socialize and participate in activities.
The major difference, however, is that these adults need more help and guidance with the activities of daily living (ADLs) such as showering, dressing, using the bathroom, and taking medication. Caregivers on-site supervise and assist seniors according to their needs.
Assisted Living Communities, like Independent Living Communities, are similar in appearance to hotels or apartment buildings.
They provide a safe, caring environment for seniors who have realized or have been advised by their doctors or concerned family members that living on their own may no longer be acceptable or practical.
Services such as bathing, dressing and grooming help, toileting assistance, escorting, and medication management are available in addition to amenities like meals, light housekeeping, laundry, and a variety of activities, outings, classes, and gatherings.
When Is the Right Time to Consider Assisted Living for a Parent or Relative?
Transitioning into Assisted Living (AL) from living independently is often the next logical step in taking in the aging process.
Seeking out a facility with more customized supervision can make a huge difference in improving an aging parent or relative’s happiness, safety, and well-being as well as reassure family members that their loved one is being cared for every day. Many injuries such as slipping or falling that occur frequently with the elderly can often be prevented in an AL environment.
Knowing when to transition an aging parent or relative into AL who lives alone can be difficult to tell from a long-distance phone call or if you can’t observe him/her/them. It may be embarrassing for them to tell you directly they can’t manage daily activities or they may want to avoid addressing it. If you can find out more information about their mental and physical condition from a friend/neighbor or doctor’s observation, you can determine if they need a more supportive environment.
Here are some of the most common signs that often indicate that a loved one may need to move into an assisted living facility:
-
Neglecting to take care of personal hygiene and not dressing weather-appropriately
-
Forgetting to take medication and/or refusing to seek medical treatment for illness or serious injuries
-
Leaving a stove burner on
-
Waking up at night and having difficulty making it to the bathroom by oneself
-
Feeling wary or insecure about showering or bathing out of fear of slipping or falling
-
Having trouble walking steadily and/or moving effortlessly, such as climbing stairs
-
Being unable to do housekeeping chores like taking out the trash and/or hoarding items
Personalized care and benefits of Assisted Living
In addition to the regular provisions of prepared meals, laundry, light housekeeping, and scheduled social activities for intellectual and emotional enrichment, AL also focuses on fulfilling the individual needs of residents who require more help with ADLs and other health/medical issues that are unique to the individual.
Each adult is evaluated before admission to determine cognitive and physical strengths/weaknesses so that the caregivers can personalize their treatments for each senior once they move in.
Assisted living services include:
-
Helping seniors with ADLs
-
Escorting to and from dining hall and facilities
-
Addressing personal needs, both planned and unpredictable
-
Providing access to emergency calls and personal safety alerts
Amenities at an Assisted Living Community will regularly include:
-
One to three meals a day served in a communal dining room
-
Light housekeeping
-
Laundry service
-
Scheduled transportation to doctor’s appointments
-
Fitness and Wellness programs
-
Educational lectures and classes
-
Social gatherings, outings, and activities
Personal Care Services will regularly include:
-
Coordinating and arranging medical appointments with primary care physicians, cardiologists, dentists, and other health care providers, including hospice care (if needed)
-
Overseeing medications and arranging for rehabilitation specialists for physical therapy and speech therapy
-
Transporting seniors to and from doctor’s appointments
Individualized care may include:
-
Coordinating and arranging medical appointments with primary care physicians, cardiologists, dentists, and other health care providers, including hospice care (if needed)
-
Overseeing medications and arranging for rehabilitation specialists for physical therapy and speech therapy
-
Transporting seniors to and from doctor’s appointments
How we can help you make a decision
Our experienced advisers will guide you through the complicated web of decision-making from start to finish via in-depth phone calls and/or inperson conversations, so you don’t have to navigate it alone.
Here are the steps:
1
Initial consultation: Over the phone, one of our advisors will help you assess you or your loved one’s physical/medical needs and desires, geographical preferences, finances, and answer any questions and concerns you have.
2
Individual Matching: Based on your preferences, we will match you with quality AL facilities that Placement Helpers have pre-screened and selected, as well as explain all the different features of each community to determine suitable ones for you to visit.
3
Guided visits: In addition to driving you to visit each AL community, we'll stay with you to tour the grounds and facility while you talk to residents and staff about living there. From food quality to social gatherings, resident happiness, and caregiver availability, it's crucial to learn about each environment. We're glad to be there as you explore options and find your perfect fit!
4
Follow-up: We want to make sure you are satisfied with the placement and will follow up with you, as well as speak to the directors of AL communities on your behalf.
