What is Assisted Senior Living?
Assisted Senior Living is a type of housing designed for the elderly who value and maintain their independence as well as privacy but need some assistance with daily activities or medical or personal care such as meals, bathing, dressing, transportation, and medication reminders.
Assisted living communities can provide the seniors who might need assistance for their individual needs with an independent lifestyle. In these communities, the elderly can feel independent and know that their specific daily needs are met.
Many of the assisted living communities also have housekeeping, access to health services, 24-hour security, exercise programs, personal laundry service, medical management, Alzheimer’s care, and social and recreational activities.
Assisted senior living offers the seniors security, companionship, recreation, entertainment, and supportive services while they are living in a senior apartment or community.
What Services Do Assisted Senior Living Provide?
Each state has different requirements for licensing and regulation for assisted living providers, which may affect the particular services offered in that community. But generally, daily activities, basic medical monitoring, and care are provided in assisted senior living communities. Dressing, eating, mobility, hygiene, bathing, shopping, toileting, and using the telephone are included in the daily activities.
The basic services offered in assisted senior living include daily meals in a group dining room, 24-hour supervision and security, basic housekeeping, social programs, transportation, laundry, health and exercise programs, personal care services such as bathing, dressing, and toileting, and access to medical services.
Cost of Assisted Senior Living
The cost of different kinds of assisted senior living communities varies depending on the following factors: the size of the apartment, type of residence, type of services needed, and geographical location or region of the community. Factors such as the kind of housing and the kind of amenities offered like exercise and wellness programs and planned activities and outings have a great impact on the cost of senior living. In some remote areas, assisted living costs may be higher because of the low availability of accommodations.
The apartment size might affect assisted living cost. A larger apartment will charge higher than a smaller one in the same community. For some communities, a basic rate covering all services will be charged in many communities, then an additional fee paid for special services. Some assisted living communities may include living expenses such as mortgage or rent, utilities, maintenance, meals, as well as household assistance or personal care.
How to Find the Right Assisted Senior Living Facility
It is important to choose the right assisted senior living facility for your loved ones to make them feel comfortable and happy in assisted living. So you’d better contact a case manager, clergy member, financial planner physician, or social worker to ask about facilities in the area. And you should also pay a visit to the assisted living facility before making a final decision.
Tips for You
Questions of the following should be asked when visiting an assisted living facility:
- What services does the assisted living community provide at this facility?
- How much is the monthly or yearly cost of the facility?
- Which services are included in the base monthly plan?
- Are visits with the resident welcome at any time?
- Can you accept the culture of the facility?
Featured image: DepositPhotos – mandygodbehear
