Assisted living facilities may be part of a retirement community, nursing home, senior housing complex, or may stand-alone. Licensing requirements for assisted living facilities vary by state and can be known by as many as 26 different names including: residential care, board and care, congregate care, and personal care.
WHAT SERVICES ARE PROVIDED?
Residents of assisted living facilities usually have their own units or apartment. In addition to having a support staff and providing meals, most assisted living facilities also offer at least some of the following services:
- Health care management and monitoring
- Help with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, and eating
- Housekeeping and laundry
- Medication reminders and/or help with medications
- Recreational activities
- Security
- Transportation
HOW TO CHOOSE A FACILITY?
A good match between a facility and a resident’s needs depends as much on the philosophy and services of the assisted living facility as it does on the quality of care.
The following suggestions can help you get started in your search for a safe, comfortable and appropriate assisted living facility:
- Think ahead. What will the resident’s future needs be and how will the facility meet those needs?
- Is the facility close to family and friends? Are there any shopping centers or other businesses nearby (within walking distance)?
- Do admission and retention policies exclude people with severe cognitive impairments or severe physical disabilities?
- Does the facility provide a written statement of the philosophy of care?
- Visit each facility more than once, sometimes unannounced.
- Visit at meal times, sample the food, and observe the quality of mealtime and the service.
- Observe interactions among residents and staff.
- Check to see if the facility offers social, recreational, and spiritual activities?
- Talk to residents.
- Learn what types of training staff receive and how frequently they receive training.
- Review state licensing reports.