The Wonderful World of Assisted Living Facility

Assisted Living Facility presents the best of both worlds for the aged who need continuing help with personal care and typical daily activities yet would love to retain their full independence as much as they can. It is obvious that this class of people, who probably were achievers in their lifetime, would need assistance with day-to-day activities but would not want to compromise their liberty. Assisted Living can be a good housing option before these people get to the level of complete home nursing.

Assisted Living Facility is a middle ground between independent living and nursing homes. Most facilities offer 24-hour supervision and an array of support services, with more privacy, space, and dignity than many nursing homes—at a lower cost.

Daily contact with supervisory staff is the defining characteristic of an Assisted Living Facility. Medical care is limited in an Assisted Living Facility, but it may be possible to contract for some medical needs. An Assisted Living Facility differs from a Nursing Home in that an Assisted Living Facility does not offer extensive medical care, as a nursing home does, and an Assisted Living Facility places greater emphasis on personal privacy and autonomy.

A nursing home is set up for people who need skilled medical professionals providing them with care and services on a daily basis.

Assisted Living residents can be young or old, affluent or low income, frail or disabled. A typical resident is a widowed or single woman in her eighties. Residents may suffer from memory disorders, or simply need help with mobility, incontinence or other challenges. Assisted Living is appropriate for anyone who can no longer manage to live on his/ her own but does not require medical care.

Assisted Living Facility residents may need help with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, toileting, grooming, cooking/eating, getting around housekeeping transportation etc.

If an aged needs a number of services, an Assisted Living Facility may become a more economical alternative to home care services.

An Assisted Living Facility is often the first stop shop for an elder who needs to get help with daily living. Some residents move on to a Nursing Home; others may come to Assisted Living from a Nursing Home or hospital after a period of rehabilitation.

Facilities offer by Assisted Living include Recreation rooms, Exercise rooms, Outdoor gardens. Libraries and Chapels

An Assisted Living Facility may also arrange for residents to receive senior services in the community, such as adult day care, shopping and recreation, and may provide social work assistance to coordinate these services.

The following are critical factors to consider in choosing the right Assisted Living Facility: