Choosing An Assisted Living Residence:
A Consumer’s Guide
The aging of America, together with extended life expectancy, is resulting
in an unprecedented demand for all kinds of long-term care services. Among
these services are assisted living residences. The philosophy of assisted
living is to provide supervision, assistance and personal care services to
senior citizens and individuals with disabilities as needed. The goal is to
maintain maximum independence in a home-like setting, while providing individualized
care and assistance. Assisted living offers a unique mix of security and independence,
privacy and companionship, care and services.
Choosing the appropriate assisted living residence can make all the difference
in an individual’s mental, physical, and social well being. Whether
you need care for a loved one, or for yourself, this brochure will help you
learn about assisted living, determine whether it is an appropriate living
option for your particular needs and preferences, and help you make a wise
selection.
Assisted Living Today
Assisted living is part of a continuum of long term care services that provides
a combination of housing, personal care services, and health care designed
to respond to individuals who need assistance with normal daily activities
in a way that promotes maximum independence.
Assisted living services can be provided in freestanding residences, near
or integrated with skilled nursing homes or hospitals, as components of continuing
care retirement communities, or at independent housing complexes.
Assisted living residences offer a multi-faceted residential setting that
provides personal care services, 24-hour supervision and assistance, activities
and health-related services, designed to:
- Minimize the need to relocate;
- Accommodate individual residents’ changing
needs and preferences;
- Maximize residents’ dignity, autonomy, privacy, independence, choice
and safety; and
- Encourage family and community involvement.
Services And Activities
The services and activities provided or arranged for in assisted living
residences generally include:
- 24-hour supervision;
- Three meals a day in a group dining room; and
- A range of services that promote the quality of life and independence
of the individual; such as :
- Personal care services (help with bathing, dressing, toileting, etc.)
- Medication management, or assistance with self-administration of medicine;
- Social services;
- Supervision and assistance for persons with Alzheimer’s or other
dementias and disabilities;
- Recreational and spiritual activities;
- Exercise and wellness programs;
- Laundry and linen service;
- Housekeeping and maintenance; and,
- Arrangements for transportation.
In most states, assisted living residences are registered, licensed or certified
by an appropriate department or agency of the state that has a process for
issuance of initial licenses and for renewing existing licenses.
Each resident receives individualized services to help him/her function
within the residence and within the community. Upon admission, a service plan
is usually developed to coordinate the delivery of services to each resident.
The agreement, which includes an assessment or evaluation of the resident’s
physical and psychosocial needs, is reviewed and updated regularly by the
staff, and as the resident’s condition indicates. The resident and family,
or responsible party are encouraged to play an active role in the development
of the service plan.
A resident care or wellness coordinator is usually designated to oversee
the process of developing, implementing, and evaluating the progress of the
service plan. A copy of the service plan is provided to the resident, family,
or responsible party upon request.
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