Assisted Living

Assisted Living facilities offer a wide range of personal and health care services in a professionally managed residence.  These residences are designed to respond to individuals who need assistance with activities of daily living.  Residents can live in their own individual apartment.  They pay privately for this type of housing in the form of rent, rent plus service charge, and sometimes a deposit or entry fee.  Private long-term care insurance may be used for some of the provided services. 

Who should use Assisted Living?

Seniors often begin to explore Assisted Living when they are no longer able to continue living independently, but they do not yet need nursing care on a daily basis.  Residents may suffer from Alzheimer's or other memory disorders.  Other residents may need assistance with bathing, dressing or mobility. 

How does Assisted Living differ from other senior housing options?

Assisted Living facilities provide more health care services than most independent living retirement communities.  Twenty-four hour security and on-site staff are standards in the industry.  Residents can purchase care on an as-needed basis. Many services can be purchased in 15-minute increments; those living at home requiring similar care would need to pay caregivers for a minimum of 2 hours/visit.  Unlike most nursing homes, Assisted Living facilities take a more residential approach.  Residents have their own living area, which can be as large as a two-bedroom apartment.  Many units have kitchenettes although residents may choose to eat in a common dining room. 

The cost for an individual to live in an Assisted Living facility is about two-thirds the cost of a nursing home, and well under half the cost of 24 hour home care.

What to consider when choosing an Assisted Living residence

You will want to tour several different Assisted Living facilities before making your final decision.  Because the facility of your choice may have a waiting list, it will be important to begin looking before the need arises.  When trying to compare residences you should determine what is included in the monthly rent.  Some residences may quote a low basic rate, then charge a la carte for each additional service, while other residences may bundle many services together.

Atmosphere

  • Are the common areas kept clean?  Do residents use common areas or does it appear that most residents stay in their own apartments?
  • Is the staff visible and available to residents?
  • Is there a safe and accessible outdoors area for walking and congregating?

Apartment-Unit Types

  • What are the various apartment floor plans.  Can you make changes to a unit once you are a resident?
  • Do the bathrooms have accessible showers?  Is there a tub room in the building?
  • Is there a full kitchen in the unit?  Can stoves be disabled if a resident is unsafe to cook?
  • Are there emergency call cords in all rooms of the apartment?  Do residents also wear an emergency pendant that is active throughout the building?

Services

  • Are housekeeping services included in the rent? Are linens provided? 
  • Is there a laundry facility on every floor? Is there an additional charge for the machines?  
  • Are "I'm OK" checks available? How is this service charged?
  • Is there an activities director on staff?  Is a van service available?  What are the costs?  How often does it run?  Is it used only for facility sponsored events?

Health Care Services

  • Are health care services provided by an outside agency or by in-house staff?  How are questions and concerns handled if by an outside agency?  
  • Is health care staff on-site 24 hours a day?  Is staff available to meet unscheduled needs? How are health care services billed?  Do you receive a separate accounting for these services?
  • Are any health care services included in the monthly rent?
  • Is there a written plan of care for all residents in the facility?  How often are these plans evaluated? 
  • What medical diagnosis would not be acceptable for this facility?

Meals

  • How many meals (if any) are included in the monthly rent?  Is tray service available, and at what cost?
  • Do residents order from a menu with choices or are the menus set?
  • Can guests eat in the dining room?   Are there assigned seats in the dining room?

Contracts and Lease Terms

  • Do the residents sign an annual lease or are the terms month to month?
  • Is a security deposit required?  Is this refundable or non-refundable?
  • What kind of penalty is there for terminating a contract?  Can the penalty be waived due to medical need?