What is Assisted Living?
What is an Assisted Living establishment anyhow? One of the biggest differences is that, in an Assisted Living setting, you or your loved one will often share a home with others. This is a means of defraying the costs of providing this higher level of care by sharing the costs among more than one senior. This brings up a key factor that we’ll cover later – the Caregiver-to-Resident Ratio.
Choosing an Assisted Living setting makes sense if you require a higher level of care than is reasonable in an Independent Living arrangement. Inevitably, this will require the sacrifice of some independence. Since most living in this level of senior housing no longer drive, that creates a rather obvious change in lifestyle. But, your spirit can survive intact if you choose a quality Assisted Living Home (see the next chapter) and you approach the experience with a positive attitude. It’s much easier to maintain a positive attitude if you do a better job of choosing an Assisted Living Home. The home should make it easier to be upbeat and cheerful while helping to keep life’s difficulties manageable.
Choosing the wrong Assisted Living arrangement can land a senior in an unhealthy environment that does more to suppress their spirit than to embrace their individuality and nurture their dignity. That kind of negative environment can also have bad repercussions for the senior’s health. Living in such an arrangement is often stressful and stress is not good for the health. Once again, it’s essential that you choose wisely once you’ve determined this is the appropriate level of senior housing and care for you or your loved one.
What are the characteristics and services you can expect to find in an Assisted Living setting?
• Generally, you or your loved one will share a home with other seniors • You’ll often live in an apartment building setting, though an Assisted Living setting in a renovated single-family home often proves a far superior option • 24/7 care should be available (the expertise provided in this regard is an essential point we’ll cover in the next chapter) • Regular and scheduled Nursing Visits • Transportation to medical appointments • Administration of medications • Rehab and Fitness programs 21
• Transportation for shopping and activities • Daily meal preparation • Housekeeping and Laundry services • Social activities • Crafts and other individual activities
The more you or your loved ones are able to embrace the social activities that are provided in an assisted living setting, the more likely you’ll find the experience rewarding and fulfilling. If you keep the body moving, the mind should follow. On the other hand, if you keep your mind engaged, you’ll find that you’re more inclined to stay active. And keeping the mind and body active may help to forestall the need for the next level of senior housing and care.
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