Assisted Living is the generic term used across the country to describe the level of care between Independent Living and Skilled Nursing (see Types of Care Homes). Assisted Living Facilities are non-medical facilities and typically do not have a nurse or other medical professionals on staff. Assisted Living Care Homes are not nursing homes nor is it a convalescent home. These terms refer to Skilled Nursing Facilities—those facilities in which the primary function is the provision of nursing and medical/health-related services for the treatment and inpatient care of significantly impaired patients (both rehabilitation and long-term care). Purpose: In different parts of the country Assisted Living Care Homes may be called Board and Care Homes, Residential Care Facilities or many other names. But they are distinguishable as Assisted Living in that they provide assistance with the Activities of Daily Living while allowing the resident to maintain the highest level of independence possible. Think of Assisted Living as that place where providing care and sustaining independence are kept in an ever-shifting balance. This emphasis on maintaining independence and dignity in a more homelike setting is one of the great advantages of Assisted Living. Care Services: Each care home has some flexibility in deciding the degree to which it will provide care services. It is important to ask many detailed questions when Evaluating Assisted Living Facilities to determine the depth and limits of service in a particular area. In general, Assisted Living Care Homes will provide assistance in the following areas: -- Bathing -- Dressing -- Grooming (teeth, shaving, hair, makeup, etc.) -- Eating -- Toileting, (urinary and bowel) -- Ambulation (walking assistance, transfer assistance, etc.) Some services might not be included by some care homes, others might offer these and additional services. The degree to which a particular service is offered can vary significantly. Some care homes charge additional for specific services, others give a flat price. Remember…ask a million questions. Dementia Services: Specific dementia care type services (security, special activities, etc.) are not required of Assisted Living Care Homes generally (state laws vary). Depending on the state, the care home may have the option of offering a higher level of care for persons with dementia. Sometimes this higher level is regulated by the state and the care home must qualify before advertising itself as a Special Dementia Care facility. Some states have no such guidelines and regulations and the type and quality of services they offer for a dementia population are at the discretion of the facility. Most Assisted Living Care Homes are not Special Dementia Care Units. However, most such facilities do accept residents with some degree of dementia. The critical issues for the decision maker(s) for prospective residents are the quality and depth of the specific services offered and the degree to which your loved one fits the service profile of the care home. Rules: Another important area to explore is the rules of each Assisted Living Facility. Do they allow pets? Smoking? Alcohol? Visitors at night? See Evaluating Assisted Living Facilities for more help in this area. Property and Room Types: The style and type of buildings that house Assisted Living Care Homes varies tremendously. They range from small single family homes that house a handful of residents to large hotel-like communities with hundreds of residents. The accommodations for the resident also vary tremendously. Residents in Assisted Living Care Homes may have their own rooms, suites or apartments, or they may share their quarters with their spouses or roommates. Likewise, bathrooms may be private or shared. Costs: The average cost across the country for a person to live in an Assisted Living Facility is between $1,500 – 2,000 per month. Again, this figure can vary greatly depending on area of the country, degree and quality of services offered, etc. See our page on Paying for Assisted Living for more details. ALZCARE has already asked all of these and many more questions of the care homes you need to consider. Think of us as the matchmakers for persons with dementia and Assisted Living Care Homes. Call 1-866- ALZCARE to start the matchmaking process.
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