What you Need to Know about Assisted Living

By Darlene Oakley HERWriter

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What is Assisted Living?

The Assisted Living Federation of America defines assisted living as “a long-term care option that combines housing, support services and health care, as needed”. Assisted living homes exist to help individuals who have difficulty managing everyday tasks (eg: cooking, taking medication, bathing and dressing).

As people age or experience progression of their illness or symptoms, some of these activities may become harder to do. That’s what assisted living homes are for.

The assisted living concept developed out of a need for independent living alternatives to nursing homes. Whether an assisted living home is right for you or your loved one depends entirely on their abilities and comfort level.

Some facilities are actual apartment buildings or condominiums, and some are in large houses or are laid out like a campus. It is only in the last twenty-five years that such opportunities and options for living have even become possible.

The entire assisted living concept is based on the philosophy of “providing personalized, resident centered care ... to meet individual preferences and needs. Assisted living treats all residents with dignity, provides privacy and encourages independence and freedom of choice.”

Regulation of Assisted Living Homes

Each state is responsible for regulating what services are provided by assisted living homes, as well as monitoring and ensuring that quality care and service are carried out according to state standards.

When looking for the right assisted living facility for you or your loved one, keep in mind that not all assisted living facilities provide the exact same services. Services may or may not include:

• Meals served in a common dining room
• Housekeeping
• Transportation
• Exercise and wellness activities
• Laundry services
• Social and recreational activities
• Access to health services such as physiotherapy and hospice care
• Medication management

How Much does Assisted Living Cost?

What assisted living costs varies depending on the type of facility and the amount of care involved for each patient. Some facilities charge a flat assisted living fee that covers rent and all services, others may charge for rent and essential services, and charge extra for more specialized services.

What is consistent between assisted living facilities is that residents will be charged on a month-to-month lease basis, and assisted living fees are usually less than the fees for home health or nursing home services ranging from $3000-$7000 per month.

It is wise to start planning financially for this possibility. One way to ensure that you will be able to afford these services when they’re needed is to invest in senior living care insurance. Government subsidies (eg: Medicare, Medicaid) will not cover all the care you or your loved one might need and will probably limit your choices.

Depending on your or your loved one’s insurance policy, some assisted living fees may be reimbursable. Be sure to ask about all your financing options including the risks and benefits of reverse annuity mortgages or renting out your home and using the rent to help pay for services.

Sources:

Cost of Assisted Living. Assisted Living Federation of America. Web. Jan 18, 2012. http://www.alfa.org/alfa/Assessing_Cost.asp

Assisted Living. Assisted Living Federation of America. Web. Jan 18, 2012. http://www.alfa.org/alfa/Assisted_Living_Information.asp

Assisted Living. MedlinePlus. Web. Jan 18, 2012. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/assistedliving.html

What is Assisted Living? Wisconsin Assisted Living Association. Web. Jan 18, 2012. http://www.ewala.org/forconsumers/whatisassistedliving.cfm

Reviewed January 19, 2012
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith

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We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.