What is Assisted Living?
Licensed through the State of Colorado government, the facilities vary in size, services, and cost. Assisted living facilities also provide care for individuals in the earlier stages of Alzheimer’s and dementia. Residents may not have many medical problems but do need more intensive support for Activities of Daily Living (ADLs).
WHAT SERVICES CAN I EXPECT IN AN ASSISTED LIVING COMMUNITY?
Because care requirements vary for each resident, most assisted living communities create an individualized care plan for every senior they consider for admission. These plans are subject to modification as residents’ needs change over time. Examples of supplemental services include special supervision for residents with Alzheimer’s, medication management, and a range of quality-of-life services.
IS ASSISTED LIVING AND A NURSING HOME THE SAME?
A nursing home provides a level of medical care beyond that offered in an assisted living facility. It offers complex medical services and employs a full-time nursing staff. It is important to note that assisted living is not an alternative to a nursing home where the individual requires complete help.
WHAT OPTIONS FOR LIVING ACCOMMODATIONS ARE AVAILABLE IN A TYPICAL ASSISTED LIVING COMMUNITY?
Assisted living communities provide different types of living accommodations, with most having multiple options to suit individual preferences. Many offer private or semi-private units in the form of single-room studios or full apartments. Some communities provide converted homes for residents; others offer accommodations in multiple floor apartment complexes.
In assisted living, individuals generally live in a private studio, private or shared apartment, with staff available to assist them 24 hours a day. They also have common area dining room accommodations for multiple residents to dine together, all at one time.
Care assistance and services include:
- Laundry & Housekeeping
- Ambulation and transfers
- Transportation to appointments
- Activities (trivia, outings to local attractions, senior board games etc)
- Socialization (Happy hours, family dinners, musical performances)
- Caregivers up to 24 hours a day subject to additional costs
- Medication administration/compliance and monitoring
- Personal care – dressing, bathing, toileting, perrycare assistance
- Incontinence Management
Quick Assessment:
If your loved one is NOT adequately working to perform most of the activities below consistently and safely without assistance, assisted living may be an appropriate alternative.
- Managing money (i.e., writing checks, handling cash, keeping a budget)
- Managing medications (i.e., taking the appropriate dose of medication at the right time)
- Cooking (i.e., preparing meals or snacks, microwave/stove usage)
- Housekeeping (i.e., performing light and heavy chores, such as dusting or mowing the lawn)
- Using appliances (i.e., using the telephone, television, or vacuum appropriately)
- Shopping (i.e., purchasing, discerning between items)
- Extracurriculars (i.e., maintaining a hobby or some sort of leisure activities)
- Bathing (i.e., able to bathe without assistance in cleaning or getting into tub or shower)
- Toilet Use (i.e., able to use the toilet and clean oneself afterwards)
- Control or continence of urine and bowels (i.e., able to wait for the right time and the right place)
- Dressing and grooming (i.e., able to button a shirt, choosing appropriate clothing)
- Moving about (i.e., able to move in and out of a chair or bed, walking)
- Eating (i.e., able to eat without having food to mouth assistance)