Today's Choices for Assisted Living

| Saturday, March 26, 2011
By Janine Sanderstine


As we age, there may come a time when we need assistance in our daily life. Living at home with family or in a nursing home used to be the only choices. Nursing homes are generally for the very sick or very disabled. Living with a relative at home is not always possible.

Now, we have another alternative: Assisted Living facilities, sometimes called residential care facilities, offer everything from independent living to assisted living with varying degrees of assistance. Everything from independent living, custodial care to care for terminal residence can be offered, with the help of visiting nurses and hospice care when needed. This type of living arrangement offers meals, housekeeping, transportation, group activities and outings, laundry, and assistance with activities of daily living as needed. These activities of daily living can include help with bathing, dressing, toileting and the administration of medications. These services are provided in a secure setting with a homelike, residential atmosphere.

In some state, assisted living facilities, called Board and Care, have recently become plentiful. They are generally operating in a residential home, housing from three to ten seniors. Sole proprietors often run these facilities by themselves, hiring additional caregivers so that they can provide coverage around the clock, seven days a week. Because they are small, the care is very personal, and the resident has the feeling of living at home. Although they don't generally have licensed nursing available, by contracting with home health agencies, visiting doctors and nurses, and other services, they can provide all necessary services in a homey atmosphere.The board and care homes often operate with smaller overhead, as they don't have layers of management and skilled professionals like the larger apartment-like facilities. The operators often have a genuine love of the elderly, and care for them with the same love and affection as they would a family member. Due to their smaller size, they don't usually have a robust marketing plan, and often get their residents by word of mouth and referrals.

Assisted Living facilities are licensed by the state, and each state has different requirements for licensing. There is no nationwide standard of care for assisted living facilities. There are many difference from one state to the next, and also differences within the same state. Some of the facilities are small, often operating out of a residential home. Others are quite large, serving hundreds of seniors in one complex.

Assisted living facilities usually offer a home like appearance, offering private apartments with doors that lock, instead of the hospital look of a skilled nursing home. Receptions or concierge are available to assist residents and greet guest instead of a nurse at a nursing station. Both large and small gatherings are held in the living and socializing areas which are strategically placed throughout the building. Arts and crafts, guest speakers and performers, music sing-a-longs and many other activities are offered regularly for the enjoyment of residents and their guests.

Separate wings are offered at many assisted living facilities for residents with Alzheimer's disease or dementia. There is a greater ratio of caregivers to residents in these memory care units, and security is offered to prevent wandering.Convenience is the reason some seniors choose to live in an assisted living facility. All their basic needs are met easily and they are in an environment where they are able to make friends, participating in activities and even go on outings. They rest assured that should their need for assistance increase, the additional services will be available for them without relocating.




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1 comments:

David said...

Without doubt a good Assisted Living facilities offer everything from independent living to assisted living with varying degrees of assistance but just because a facility is titled "Assisted Living" does not mean it will be similar to others also.

Best Assisted Living Facility Westerville

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