ASSITED LIVING FACILITIES
As people are living longer, new living arrangements for elders, who want to remain living independently, have been created. One of the fastest growing housing alternatives is known as an assisted living facility (ALF). These facilities are available in most parts of the country and range from modest to elegant; from "mom and pop" to high-end resort.
Who needs an ALF?
Individuals or couples may move to an ALF when keeping up the family home is no longer desirable. This may be due to physical or mental decline or simply the desire to leave the chores of home maintenance of homemaking to others. Individuals who are experiencing difficulty in handling one or more of the activities of daily living (ADLs) are provided with assistance as needed. ADLs are the personal tasks a person needs to accomplish each day in order to care for his/her own needs in an independent manner. Typical assisted living services include reminders, supervision, or physical assistance with: Bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, transferring (from bed to chair, chair to toilet, Medications, Meals or meal preparation Shopping, housekeeping, and laundry, Transportation.
What is an ALF?
An Assisted Living Facility (ALF) is a professionally managed and licensed residence that offers a range of expanding services designed to meet the housing, personal, social, health, and transportation needs which maximize an individual's independence. Meal service in communal dining rooms, transportation for shopping and appointments, social activities, and housekeeping service are generally included in the monthly rental fee. Housing choices may vary from single or double rooms to suites and apartments. In some areas of the country, ALFs may be known by different names, such as personal care, residential health care, congregate living, or domiciliary care facilities. ALFs may be part of a continuing care retirement community, nursing home complex, elderly housing apartments, or they may stand-alone. Many facilities are operated by religious, fraternal, labor, private and government organizations. Not-for-profit organizations have provided assisted living services for more than one hundred years. Licensure and operating regulations mandate the services that must be provided and vary from state to state.
What is the cost?
The costs for living in an ALF may range from a hundreds of dollars a month to thousands of dollars a month. Facilities have different ways of structuring monthly fees. Some may include certain services in a combined daily or monthly rate, while others may charge separately for the same services. Assisted Living Facilities can be an option after hospital discharge and may be covered by managed care or other insurers. In some states, funds may be available for those who cannot afford assisted living, and some facilities may take payment through Medicaid, Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). However, payment most often comes from private sources.
What do I need to know?
Two important choices are critical when selecting an assisted living facility: where will you live, and the quality and type of personal assistance available. Many facilities are beautifully appointed and brochures or contracts promise activities, good food and attentive staff.
Questions to think about include:
What kinds of services are available? Do employees provide services, or are arrangements made with other agencies
Are there apartments/units that meet the individual's needs and expectations?
Are friends and family able to visit conveniently?
Do the residents appear interested in each other, alert and active, and comfortable with staff?
What do you hear about the food? Are there choices? Is the kitchen flexible enough to provide a picnic lunch or a birthday cake?
What is included in the daily or monthly rate
What services are available for extra charges
Can personal items and furniture be brought from home?
What kinds of activities and recreation are available? How often?
Are the programs varied and interesting?
What happens if additional assistance is needed within a few years? Must residents move, or can the facility provide the health care needed? Under what circumstances are residents required to leave the facility?
Do the staff members seem knowledgeable, friendly, well groomed, and professional in the way they serve and relate to the residents?
Are the buildings and grounds (including community rooms, hallways, elevators, stairways, and outside walkways) attractive, accessible, safe, and comfortable?
What licenses are required? Request to see the most recent state inspection report and discuss its findings with the administrator.
Are financial and contractual obligations explained thoroughly? Review a copy of the rental or other agreement to be signed with an attorney or third party. Be sure there will be no surprises after the selection is made.
Other items to consider are the distance from family members and friends, the ability to continue established social relationships, and religious or ethnic values as these issues relate to the living situation.
What you can do?
Visit and talk to as many people as you can about any facility you are interested in. The local Area Agency on Aging may have additional information or a Geriatric Care Manager may be available for consultation.
Assisted living facilities bridge the gap between living independently and living with increasing needs for care. Nowadays, these facilities are providing an increasingly popular housing choice for the older person or couple at a reasonable cost. This housing option may be especially helpful when the care needs of a couple differ and care in the present home is difficult to obtain.