Senior Care Options

Assisted Living facilities are designed for seniors who are no longer able to live on their own safely but do not require the high level of care provided in a nursing home. Assistance with medications, activities of daily living, meals and housekeeping are routinely provided. Three meals per day are provided in a central dining room. Residents live in private apartments which frequently have a limited kitchen area. Staff is available 24 hours per day for additional safety. Most assisted living communities provide licensed nursing services. The hours vary greatly, so be sure to ask when you visit. Social activities and scheduled transportation are also available in most communities. A special unit for Alzheimer’s residents is available in some, but not all communities.

Assisted living as a long-term care option that combines housing, support services and health care, as needed. Assisted living is designed for individuals who require assistance with everyday activities such as meals, medication management or assistance, bathing, dressing and transportation. Some residents may have memory disorders including Alzheimer’s, or they may need help with mobility, incontinence or other challenges. Residents are assessed upon move in, or any time there is a change in condition. The assessment is used to develop an Individualized Service Plan.

There are over 31,000 assisted living communities’ nationwide serving almost one million seniors. A relatively new concept twenty-five years ago, today assisted living is the most preferred and fastest growing long-term care option for seniors.

For more information, contact Senior Living Placement today.

Assisted Living Philosophy

The philosophy of assisted living is to provide personalized, resident centered care in order to meet individual preferences and needs. Assisted living treats all residents with dignity, provides privacy and encourages independence and freedom of choice. Residents’ family members and friends are encouraged to get involved in the assisted living community.

Typical Services Offered in Assisted Living Communities:

Senior assisted living communities provide more personal care services than an independent living retirement community. They offer a less-expensive, residential approach to delivering many of the same services available in skilled nursing, either by employing personal care staff or contracting with home health agencies and other outside professionals.

Amenities in assisted living typically include:

• Three meals a day served in a common dining area
• Housekeeping services
• Transportation
• 24-hour security
• Exercise and wellness programs
• Personal laundry services
• Social and recreational activities

Personal care in assisted living typically includes:

• Staff available to respond to both scheduled and unscheduled needs
• Assistance with eating, bathing, dressing, toileting, and walking
• Access to health and medical services, such as physical therapy and hospice
• Emergency call systems for each resident’s apartment
• Medication management
• Care for residents with cognitive impairments

Also Known As:

• Assisted Care Community
• Personal Care Home

Payment Sources:

• Mostly private pay
• Some take Medicaid
• Long Term care Insurance
• VA Aide & Attendance Benefits

Price Range:

• $2,500-$4,000 per month depending on the size of apartment and level of assistance required
• Alzheimer’s care ranges from $2,800-$4,500 for a shared suite

Assisted Living Residence Checklist

It’s important to be prepared when calling and touring assisted living centers. Each community is unique, if you’ve seen one assisted living community; you’ve seen one assisted living facility. The checklist below can help you stay organized and ask the right questions to help you decide on the community that’s right for your loved one.

Questions to Ask When you Call or Visit

1. What is your staff-to-resident ratio?
2. What kind of experience and training does your staff possess?
3. How many staffers are on duty overnight?
4. Can staff administer medications?
5. Do you have a nurse on staff 24/7?
6. Do you have any experience with (issues or diagnosis of your care recipient)?
7. Do you do an initial assessment prior to admission?
8. What types of apartments are available?
9. What is the monthly cost per apartment type?
10. If there is a wait list, how many are on it and what is the policy?
11. Tell me about some of the current residents.
12. Do you have any outdoor space?
13. What is your discharge policy?
14. What additional services are available if the needs of a resident change?
15. What are your billing and payment policies?
16. Are all services included in the monthly fee? If not, what and how much are additional services?

Download this PDF and take it with you on your tour of the communities

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