Assisted Living Communities: All About These Facilities

| Friday, January 24, 2014
By Kristana Jenson


For many seniors, the idea of assisted living is not one that they wish to consider. However, sometimes our bodies simply don't work the way they used to and we need a little bit of help. While you can certainly hire someone to come into your home and help with many tasks, there are some advantages to considering moving into an assisted living facility.

A nursing home differs greatly from assisted living. Nursing homes are needed for people who have serious medical conditions that require the help of trained nursing professionals. People in assisted living homes might need a wheelchair or walker and might need help with medication, but they don't need constant monitoring. The staff will help with bathing, grooming and dressing, as well as doing all the laundry and cleaning and preparing meals.

While these are not nursing homes, many assisted living residences offer a separate, secure section for adults with dementia, such as Alzheimer's. Alarms often are installed at entry and exit doors just in case a person wanders away, which can happen to those with dementia. In addition, the staff will be trained to make life as stress-free as possible for these residents, as dementia is often very scary and frustrating. Because of the social activities and amenities, this can be a good, safe option for a loved one who suffers from dementia but otherwise is in good health.

While some assisted living facilities have shared rooms or simple private rooms with a private bathroom, many offer studio apartments, one-bedroom apartments and even two-bedroom apartments. Square footage generally ranges from about 300 square feet for basic rooms or studios up to 800 or 900 square feet for the two-bedroom units. Often, the apartments will include a kitchenette with a microwave and refrigerator and possibly a living room and a balcony. Furnished options usually are available, as well. All apartments and rooms are accessible for those with disabilities.

Every community has its differences, but typically the monthly rent includes a large amount of services. In addition to weekly housekeeping and laundry services, utilities are included, as well as cable TV, but not your telephone costs. Most facilities offer wireless internet, as well. The rent also includes all of your meals and snacks, as well as a myriad of social activities. In addition, many facilities have swimming pools, hot tubs, exercise rooms and exercise classes. Most also offer shuttle service, whether you need to visit your doctor or want to go shopping or someplace else.

If your budget permits, an assisted living community can be a great option as there are plenty of activities and amenities. All of this does come with a substantial monthly price tag, though, and you will need to carefully decide whether or not it fits within your budget. Often a less expensive option is to consider a board and care facility. These are located in actual residential homes, so they definitely feel more like being at home, and this can be very appealing to some people. You still will have all the help and assistance you need, as well as meals and socialization with the other residents. Generally there are no more than six residents in all. It is best to visit many homes and facilities to find one that best suits your needs and budget, as well as finding the one that most appeals to you.




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