What to Expect From an Assisted Living Facility

Assisted living facilities provide numerous benefits to elderly residents in terms of care and well-being. With nearly 30,000 of these facilities in the US, there are many options to choose from. If you or someone you love wants to learn more about these special types of homes, the information below can help.

Services

For those who are unfamiliar with assisted living, it’s worth knowing that these facilities provide numerous services that go just beyond the basics. Along with comfortable, private accommodation and home-cooked meals, many assisted living homes also offer the following services:

• Medication management (typically administered by onsite medical staff)
• Assistance with grooming/bathing/toileting
• Help with dressing/undressing
• Transferring (e.g., from bed to chair to wheelchair)
• Laundry
• Weekly housekeeping
• Pet care
• Scheduling medical appointments
• Social and recreational activities (e.g., yoga, movie nights, Bingo games, arts/crafts)

Levels of Care

Another thing to bear in mind when it comes to assisted living facilities is that they often provide multiple levels of care. These range from lower to higher to memory care.

Lower Levels

As the word implies, lower levels of care are for residents who require minimal assistance or support. These individuals are fairly independent and are physically able to take care of daily hygiene needs. Lower-level care may involve some assistance such as help with medication, showering, or getting their clothes on; however, they don’t require intensive medical monitoring.

Higher Levels

Higher levels of care are for residents who require more physical assistance from the caregivers at the facility. For example, individuals who require help walking and/or transferring from one place to another are often given higher levels of care. These individuals may also be at a more advanced stage of memory loss or cognitive decline and will require help with bathing, dressing, and managing their daily hygiene. They also tend to require intensive medical monitoring.

Memory Care

Memory care is a higher level of care that is designed for individuals with dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease. Residents requiring memory care are often in the advanced stages of memory loss, and they are provided with customized support for their illness. Staff members are also specially trained in dementia care. The emphasis in memory care is to maintain the support and dignity of the clients and assist the family members where possible. Facilities such as Clifton Woods in Silver Spring also offer Alzheimer’s care activities such as daily exercise, puzzles, and art projects.

Community

Another beneficial feature of assisted living facilities is the sense of community. Not only do these homes enable and promote socializing, but they also provide recreational programs and services that bring the residents together. While facilities can differ from state to state and across cities, most homes aim to encourage independence and treat their residents with the utmost dignity and respect. 

Costs

Assisted living costs vary from one center to the next in terms of amenities, size, privacy, and levels of care. While it’s difficult to provide exact costs, the national median rates for these facilities can be around $4,000 per month. This might seem exorbitant at first, but it tends to be less expensive than nursing care and private home health care.

This is a guest blog entry.