An Overview of Assisted Living

In this "an overview of assisted living" we will have two days of informaiton coming to you.

Choosing the appropriate care option for an older loved one can be one of the most difficult decisions of a person’s life. Any move is stressful, and moving a loved one into assisted living or another elder care community often involves leaving a residence they called home for many years. At Mom's House DFW we are helping folks make the hard decision of selling their home in it's as-is-condition. If you’re making the decision on behalf of a parent, you may even be saying goodbye to your own childhood home.

To make the transition from private residence to care facility as smooth as possible, it’s best to go into the decision process from a knowledgeable perspective. That is the purpose of this guide: to provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision and find the care option that’s right for you and your loved one.

If you’re reading this guide, you are likely already weighing the potential benefits of an assisted living community over other options. A number of factors will figure in your decision, including but not limited to cost, and level of care needed. This guide will help you answer several key questions that will arise in your decision process, including the benefits and potential downsides of assisted living, the cost of assisted living, and ways to pay for assisted living, is part of an overview of assisted living.

An Overview of Assisted Living

Assisted living is a type of residential senior care that focuses on providing residents with personal care services. Personal care services include meal preparation, housekeeping, and assistance with the activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, eating, and dressing. Many assisted living facilities (ALFs) also offer lifestyle services such as transportation, scheduled activities and events, and on-site conveniences like a salon and barbershop.

ALFs are a good fit for seniors who need some assistance with their day-to-day tasks, or predict they will need such assistance in the near future, but do not need high-level, consistent medical care. One of the appealing aspects of ALFs is that residents can access as much or as little assistance as they need, allowing them to retain much of their independence and autonomy. Staff is always on-site 24/7 to ensure that assistance is readily available for residents and to help with any emergency situations.

There are Avantages to Assisted Living

Assisted living communities are an attractive option for seniors who do not require around-the-clock health care, but do need some personal care assistance on a regular basis. While ALFs are a good option for many older adults, they may not be the right fit for your personal needs or preferences. Below, we explain some of the pros and cons of choosing this type of residential care community.

Benefits of Assisted Living Communities

• Independence: While assisted living staff is available to residents around-the-clock, residents are able to live as independently as they wish. Even if a senior needs daily assistance with some of their ADLs, they can retain independence in other areas of their lives.
• Emergency Support: Assisted living communities do not provide regular, high-level medical care. However, staff is always on-site to assist residents in the event of an emergency, including medical emergencies. Depending on the specific communities, there may be a resident doctor or nurse who can help on-site, or staff may transfer residents to the nearest medical facility.
• Security: Residents of ALFs are safe in a secure environment with controlled access. Risk of break-in or robbery is very small, especially compared to a private residence.
• Socialization: Continuing to live in one’s own residence can become quite lonely and isolating for elders. In an assisted living community, there is no shortage of opportunities for friendship and social interaction. Many offer regular, organized group activities, as well as wellness and exercise programs. Some even have on-site libraries and chapels, where seniors can bond over common interests.
• Simplicity: ALFs offer a maintenance-free lifestyle, simplifying residents’ day-to-day lives. Staff handles housekeeping, meal preparation, and interior and exterior maintenance, so residents can enjoy their golden years without having to worry about household tasks.

The Down Side to Assisted Lving

• Cost: Unlike nursing homes, ALFs are not usually covered by Medicare. While there are other financial assistance options (explained in more detail below), the cost of assisted living communities may be prohibitive for some seniors and their families due to the lack of Medicare coverage. Nursing homes and, sometimes, in-home care are covered by Medicare.
• Level of Care: If a senior has more extensive medical needs, an assisted living facility may prove to be insufficient in terms of services offered. If you or your loved one is very ill, has greatly reduced mobility, or dementia, they’ll be better suited for a nursing home or dedicated memory care facility.
• Change in Environment: Assisted living communities generally offer a high level of privacy and independence, but this is still less than a private residence. Moving to a residential care facility can be a hard adjustment for some seniors, especially those who are used to living alone.

Stay tuned for more on Assisted Living with Mom's House DFW tomorrow.