Growing older doesn’t mean we have to give up on life – in fact, retirement is just the beginning of an exciting new phase of life. For many senior citizens, choosing their next home involves some type of senior residence, ranging from independent living to memory care. Assisted living is one option available to seniors who still want to remain as independent as possible but don’t feel comfortable living alone. While the term assisted living is commonly known, not everyone understands the nuances of this type of facility versus others. According to Argentum, these communities are defined as “a combining of housing, personalized supportive services and health care designed to meet the individual needs of persons who need help with the activities of daily living, but do not need the skilled medical care provided in a nursing home.” This type and level of care can include a wide range of resident needs, including hygiene, dressing, bathing, toileting, eating, mobility, and transfers if needed.
While assisted living represents a community representing healthcare, assisted living provides a different level of care than nursing homes. Most of those in assisted living facilities are capable of living independently and performing some or most daily activities. Typical residents only require assistance for minor non-medical issues. In this article, we discuss the differences between assisted living and nursing homes.
Demographic Statistics
- More than 810,000 Americans currently reside in assisted living communities.
- Assisted living communities accommodate 88% of all senior residential care residents.
- There are over 28,900 active assisted living facilities in the United States.
- 70% of people will require assisted living care in their lifetime.
- Those people who require more intensive care or medical supervision don’t typically live in assisted living facilities, as a nursing home or more medically-oriented facility is more appropriate.
Average Associated Costs
Depending on the community and the individual’s unique needs, the monthly cost for each resident can vary dramatically. Some factors that influence the monthly expenses may include:
- Type of residence, size of rooms, single or double occupancy, views
- The geographic location of the facility
- Level of service required on a daily basis
The most influential factor in any cost variation is generally associated with any additional staff care needed for an individual resident.
When comparing assisted living facilities, be sure to ask what is included in the monthly fee and which services are a la carte. Most assisted living facilities will include all meals, housekeeping and laundry services, limited transportation, basic medication management, and a full activities calendar.
Is Assisted Living The Right Option for Your Senior Loved One?
Choosing a facility for your loved one may be a complicated and emotional decision, and you’ll want to be comfortable with the level of care provided to the residents by their staff. At a minimum, you can expect assisted living facilities to offer the following services:
- Medication management
- Daily living assistance (bathing, eating, dressing, etc.)
- Educational opportunities and classes
- All meals and dining options
- Health, wellness, and fitness services and programs
- Emergency alert systems in each room
- Housekeeping, laundry, and maintenance services
- Organized and supervised recreational, social, and exercise activities
- Religious and spiritual activities
- Transportation for errands and doctor’s appointments
- 24-hour security for the facility
Assisted living is designed to provide your senior loved one with the lifestyle to live a happy and healthy life, with the social, physical, and emotional help they need. To learn more and schedule a tour of our Venice facility, call A Banyan Residence today.
