What is Assisted Living
If you or a loved one are exploring care options, here are answers to common questions about assisted living.
What is Assisted Living?
Assisted living is a residential setting for older adults who need assistance with activities of daily living to help them maintain as much independence as possible. There are a variety of housing options for people interested in assisted living as they age:
- Residential Care Facilities: If you want to live with others in a smaller setting, these group homes act as a senior living community with many of the services you’d receive.
- Senior Living Communities: If you want to enjoy social living while receiving quality care, these communities can exist as purely assisted living facilities.
- Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC): If you want to experience a thriving lifestyle through multiple levels of care and never have to move as your needs change, this is the perfect option.
What Services Does Assisted Living Provide?
Assisted living communities provide a variety of programs and services that are accessible, engaging, and supportive for residents, which vary from place to place and may include:
- Accessibility features in living units, such as safety bars and handles
- Assistance with activities of daily living, including bathing, dressing, and medication management
- Housekeeping, home maintenance, lawn care, and dining services
- Life safety monitoring
- On-site amenities, such as laundry facilities, fitness centers, recreational spaces, salons, and libraries
- Social activities
- Space for private events, such as community rooms or clubhouses
- Transportation to the grocery store, doctor’s appointments, and fun outings
Some Medicare and Medicaid plans can cover different services in senior living, so review your plan to see how assisted living may be covered.
The Benefits of Assisted Living
There are many benefits of assisted living that can make daily life more manageable and help residents maintain greater independence for longer:
- Support: Residents receive assistance with activities of daily living and have a nurse on their side to support their needs. It’s important to be able to advocate for yourself at every stage of life, and that includes having a strong supportive team of people with your best interests in mind.
- Convenience: An assisted living environment provides residents with a simplified lifestyle and freedom from home maintenance. When touring communities, ask for the cost and hours of operation for these convenient services, such as dining, transportation, and salons.
- Enrichment: Associates provide a variety of programs designed to be enjoyed year-round and accommodate unique resident interests. From clubs to art programs, music and excursions, a resident can choose what to participate in and when.
When is it Time for Assisted Living?
It’s great to start considering your assisted living options when you:
- Don’t want your family and friends to worry about your well-being.
- Don’t want the hassle of maintaining your home or cooking for yourself.
- Want opportunities to socialize in and outside of your community.
- Want to feel safe and secure in your home with accessible care.
- Have experienced a fall or mobility issues.
- Need assistance with managing medications and activities of daily living, such as eating, dressing, and hygiene.
- Need assistance with a cane or walker.
Is assisted living the next step? Learn more in our free ebook, Assisted Living and Older Adults!
At Life Enriching Communities (LEC), we’re committed to ensuring patrons feel well-equipped to plan their future and age how they wish. Explore more resources on senior living or contact us today to learn more about our legacy of services and programs that bring meaning and purpose to every stage of life.