ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES
What are Assisted Living Facilities?
Assisted living facilities provide a residence and services to seniors who need help with certain daily activities; in doing so, this allows seniors to still live with a moderate degree of independence while receiving the assistance they need. According to the Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA), there are currently over 1 million Americans in over 20,000 assisted living residences. Facilities that support this form of care range from single family homes with a handful of people, to large retirement communities with hundreds of residents.
Assisted living facilities generally include apartments or living spaces, a dining room, common areas and activity rooms, and sometimes even a medical center and/or outdoor recreation areas. The facilities provide help with daily activities that might include cooking and meal preparation, bathing, dressing, household chores, ambulating, and the monitoring or regulating of medications. The facilities also generally provide some or all the following: transportation; laundry and housekeeping services; recreational activities; and 24 hour support and supervision for residents. In some cases, facilities provide specialized services which can incorporate care for conditions like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, hospice, or interim care. Additionally, sometimes, assisted living facilities are part of larger retirement communities that include both independent living and nursing home properties in order to simplify continuing care as needs change.
As it stands, there are no federal regulations for assisted living facilities, so care can vary dramatically from location to location. It is therefore important to research potential locations and the surrounding area. Be sure to visit the locations, attend a meal and become familiar with what services and amenities are included. Additionally, there are two major organizations which provide accreditation for assisted living facilities. The first is the joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO); the other is the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). These organizations have higher than average standards, and if a facility is accredited by one or both, it is a strong indicator that the site is well run.
