Assisted living services are tailored to meet the daily needs of elderly adults, such as bathing, dressing, toileting and mobility assistance.
As you tour facilities, pay particular attention to individual living spaces and furnishings. Look out for well-lit areas with ample space available and easy access to common areas.
The Basics
Seniors tend to prefer living independently as long as possible; however, when daily tasks such as cooking and cleaning become challenging they often look for alternative care solutions, such as in-home aides or assisted living communities.
Assisted living facilities typically consist of residential-type facilities ranging from converted homes and apartments to renovated schools, where residents are typically provided with private apartments that feature space to store personal belongings, furniture and appliances as well as kitchenettes. Meals, housekeeping and social programming services are often included within the room and board fee as well.
Residents in assisted living residences typically receive assistance with daily tasks like bathing and dressing; however, they typically don’t receive the level of medical support that would be available from a skilled nursing home. Be sure to inquire about any care plans in place that may provide additional medical support if a resident requires additional support services.
Costs
Costs associated with assisted living may seem intimidating, particularly if the wellbeing and comfort of your loved one depend on it. Therefore, it’s crucial that you perform some calculations to ascertain what expenses might occur on a monthly and yearly basis.
Typically, most communities charge a monthly base fee that includes room and board as well as group amenities like dining and transportation. They may offer add-on care services like medication management.
Personal funds and long-term care insurance are the two primary ways families fund assisted living costs, with others including liquidating investments, using wartime veteran benefits, consulting financial planners or exploring alternative financing methods as possible. Furthermore, location plays an important factor; even moving an hour away could save thousands annually in fees.
Reliability
Staff in assisted living communities are there 24/7 to support seniors. Teams work both day and night and there’s typically always someone, such as a nurse practitioner, available should anything arise that needs medical assistance.
As you visit facilities, pay special attention to staff-to-resident ratios and observe employee interactions with residents. Also inquire about any suggestion, complaint and grievance policies as well as transfer and discharge policies that apply at each facility.
Activities and events at assisted living residences can help promote physical health, mental stimulation, socialization and community inclusion. They make transitioning easier while relieving family caregivers of caregiving duties; then family can rest easy knowing their loved one is receiving excellent care while they focus on hobbies or interests they once enjoyed but cannot pursue at home.
Privacy
As soon as a senior moves into assisted living, their privacy can become compromised. There will be unfamiliar noises and people to get used to; plus staff checking on them regularly – this may prove challenging for those who take pride in maintaining their individualism and sense of privacy.
As soon as they move into an assisted living facility, residents will receive a notice of privacy practices from the provider, outlining how their information will be utilized and permitting them to request restrictions on what can be done with it.
To ensure these requests are fulfilled, it is crucial that all staff at your facility undergo HIPAA policies and procedures training. You can do this via online courses such as our Confidentiality Online Course, or with a free downloadable HIPAA Caregiver Guide.
Socialization
Humans require love and support even into old age; without it, the risk of depression and other mental health conditions increases significantly.
Socialization can also play an integral role in keeping seniors physically healthy. Engaging with fellow residents leads to regular physical activity and better nutrition; elders who live alone have an increased risk of malnutrition; assisted living communities provide an inclusive setting where seniors can select nutritious foods while engaging in regular physical activity.
When selecting an assisted living facility, be sure to visit it at various times throughout the day, especially around mealtimes and activities. Doing this will give you a clearer sense of what life is like at different facilities.