Everything to Know About Assisted Living

What is Assisted Living?

Assisted living is a residential housing option for older adults who need assistance with daily tasks like bathing, dressing, and medication management. It serves as a middle ground between independent living and nursing home care, ideal for seniors who need some level of support but still value their privacy and independence.

These facilities are thoughtfully designed to resemble residential communities, often featuring private or semi-private accommodations alongside shared spaces for dining, socializing, and recreation. This setup not only fosters a sense of belonging but also encourages social interaction and mental engagement, promoting healthier aging and an enhanced quality of life for residents.

What services are offered

Assisted living services go beyond just daily tasks. Most communities offer a wide range of services and amenities to support and enhance residents’ daily lives. While these offerings may vary from facility to facility, some common services include:

• Assistance with Daily Living Activities: Assisted Living Facilities (ALFs) provide staff to help seniors with daily tasks like eating, dressing, bathing, making the bed, or driving. To keep life engaging, they also organize activities like movie outings and group painting sessions.
• Basic Health Monitoring: For seniors with medical needs, ALFs offer regular health checks, including heart rate monitoring and blood sugar testing, ensuring routine health concerns are addressed.
• Medication Management: Managing medications can be tricky, but ALFs make it easy by scheduling and administering doses on time, keeping residents on track with their treatment plans.
• Emergency Call Systems: ALFs are prepared for emergencies like falls or medical episodes with call systems that provide residents quick access to assistance.
• Meals and Special Diets: ALFs handle mealtimes with nutritious meals and snacks throughout the day. They also cater to dietary restrictions, allergies, and special nutritional needs.
• Housekeeping Services: ALFs keep living spaces clean with regular housekeeping based on resident needs. Tasks like cleaning, mopping, and sanitizing are taken care of for a tidy environment.
• Laundry and Linen Services: ALFs manage laundry and linens, ensuring clothes and bedding are washed and folded regularly. Special care is given to use hypoallergenic products when needed.
• Transportation Services: Transportation is provided for medical appointments, shopping, or events. Shared vehicles, often wheelchair-friendly, are common, and some facilities cover costs for taxis or rideshares.
• Fitness and Wellness Programs: ALFs offer fitness and wellness programs tailored to seniors, including:
• Mental fitness activities
• Social engagement
• Physical exercise
• Nutrition workshops
• Recreational, Social, and Educational Activities: ALFs keep residents entertained with activities like yoga, games, field trips, and karaoke. Many facilities take activity requests to personalize the experience.

When assisted living is needed

As mentioned, assisted living is the middle ground between independence and nursing home care. However, sometimes it’s hard to know where you fall on that spectrum.

Generally, assisted living is best suited for aging adults who don’t require a high level of medical care but may need some assistance with everyday tasks. To determine whether assisted living is the right choice, consider your ability to manage the following tasks:

• Assistance with Daily Living Activities: Showering, shaving, brushing teeth, etc.
• Dressing: Putting clothes on without having trouble with zippers and buttons.
• Eating: Feeding yourself without much difficulty.
• Transferring: Walking or moving from a wheelchair to a bed and back again.
• Toileting: Getting on and off the toilet.
• Continence: Controlling your bladder and bowel functions.

According to data from the American Health Care Association (AHCA) and the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL), a significant number of assisted living residents need help with these tasks. For example, 75% require assistance with bathing, 71% with walking, and 60% with dressing. Other common needs include help with toileting, getting into bed, and eating. These figures underscore how common these challenges are and highlight the vital role assisted living plays in supporting aging adults.

What Are the Benefits of Assisted Living

Assisted living offers numerous benefits for seniors. From round-the-clock care to endless opportunities for socialization and recreation, these facilities are designed to revitalize residents’ older years and make them feel safe and supported. Some key benefits of assisted living include:

Personalized and 24-hour care

Assisted living services will meet you where you are. Whether you require daily help with tasks like eating and brushing your teeth, or just occasional assistance while remaining mostly independent, these communities provide the flexibility to support you.

With varying levels of care available, you’ll receive as much or as little help as you need. Most assisted living communities also offer 24/7 caregiver access, ensuring support is always within reach during emergencies. Whether it’s a rare instance where you need help getting up at night or you require more consistent care, assisted living ensures personalized attention for every stage of health and life.

Community building opportunities

Community building is a large part of assisted living. From book clubs to movie nights, most ALFs offer endless opportunities for residents to socialize, make friends, and participate in activities they enjoy. Some even offer scheduled outings, such as group shopping trips, museum tours, or concerts, to bring residents together and create a sense of community.

Physical and intellectual stimulation

Staying active, both mentally and physically, is vital for aging adults. That said, most ALFs highly prioritize residents getting active and using their brains. Whether that be through scheduled exercise classes, on-site educational seminars, or even a game room full of classic card and board games, residents are always encouraged to engage their minds and bodies.

Increased safety and accessibility

Assisted living communities are designed with safety and accessibility in mind. Most facilities have security officers on-site, as well as alarm systems installed throughout residences. Additionally, ALFs offer safety features that cater to varying levels of mobility. Throughout the grounds, you’ll find ramps, flat thresholds, hand railings, and more, catering to residents with a high-fall risk or other health concerns.

How Much Does Assisted Living Cost?

The national median cost for assisted living is $5,350 per month or $64,200 per year, according to the AHCA and NCAL. However, prices will vary depending on location, length of stay, and needed accommodations.

Some individuals, depending on their state’s Medicaid policies, may qualify for Medicaid coverage. According to the AHCA and NCAL, approximately one in five ALF residents rely on Medicaid to pay for their daily services. It’s important to note, however, that Medicare typically does not cover assisted living costs.

Assisted living costs can typically be broken down into four different categories. Residents first pay a one-time entry fee, which acts as their reservation deposit. Then, once they’ve moved in, they’ll pay a base monthly fee, which is essentially their rent. This fee will vary depending on the size of their residence and the types of services they need.

This leads us to the care services fee, which is added to the monthly fees and is determined by the level of care needed. Those requiring frequent assistance from caregivers will pay more, while individuals needing minimal support will incur lower fees. Lastly, there is the medication management and ancillary services fee, which applies to residents who need help managing their daily medications or require additional services, such as physical therapy.

Some assisted living communities operate on an all-inclusive pricing model. This means that the monthly fee includes all services and amenities, regardless of the level of care needed. However, it's important to carefully review the details of what is included in this fee and if there are any additional charges for certain services.

Who Needs Assisted Living?

Earlier, we discussed how assisted living is designed for older adults who need some assistance but still can retain a certain level of independence. However, there’s more nuance to these communities.

Of the over 1,000,000 ALF residents nationwide, over half are 85 or older. Many of these residents have conditions that go beyond needing daily assistance, such as dementia, heart disease, or depression. That said, there’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to seniors in assisted living. Regardless of your age, mobility, or overall health, you’ll find that there’s an assisted living community out there to suit your needs.

What Are Some Other Senior Living Options?

Assisted living isn’t the only housing option for seniors. In fact, there are numerous other options available that may better serve your needs. Whether you’re seeking the privacy of independent living or the medical supervision of a nursing home, here are some other options to consider:

Independent living

Independent living is designed for residents who are fit to live independently. These individuals may need help from time to time, but will overall require less aid than those in assisted living facilities. That said, independent living communities tend to be less expensive than their ALF counterparts, as they require less staff and personalized care for residents. In independent living, residents live in their own apartments or houses and have access to communal amenities. These can include meal plans, transportation services, social activities, and fitness classes.

Home care

When seniors receive home care, they live in their own private residence with an in-house caregiver. Depending on the resident's needs, this can range from a few hours of assistance per week to 24/7 care.

This option is ideal for seniors who prioritize privacy and are prepared to cover the variable costs associated with at-home caregiving. For those requiring less than 40 hours of care per week, home care is often more affordable than assisted living. However, for seniors needing extensive, continuous support, home care can become more expensive than moving to an assisted living facility.

Memory care

Memory care is a specialized type of assisted living designed for residents with cognitive impairments or decline. These could be caused by diseases like Alzheimer's or dementia, or simply due to aging. Memory care facilities provide 24-hour supervision and assistance with daily living activities, as well as specialized programs and therapies to help residents maintain their cognitive function for as long as possible.

Nursing homes

Nursing homes provide a higher level of medical care and supervision compared to assisted living communities. These facilities are specifically designed for individuals requiring continuous medical attention, often prioritizing health and safety over independence. Residents are typically seniors with chronic illnesses or disabilities that make independent living impossible.

Assisted Living Checklist

Choosing an assisted living facility requires careful research and thoughtful consideration. The goal is to select a senior living option that aligns with your personal, medical, and social needs. Asking the right questions is key to understanding their unique preferences and ensuring the best fit. To help guide you, After55.com has compiled a comprehensive list of essential questions to ask:

Staff and Resident Care

• Is the staff warm, welcoming, and approachable?
• Do staff members treat each other respectfully?
• Is assistance available 24/7?
• Are staff licensed and certified for their roles?
• What is the staff-to-resident ratio?
• Do residents appear happy, well-rested, and cared for?

Pricing and Agreements

• Is there a waiting list? If so, how long is the wait time?
• What is the starting price for services?
• What does the base price include in terms of assisted living services?
• Are services offered as all-inclusive, tiered, or a la carte? If tiered or a la carte, what are the associated costs?
• Is a deposit or entrance fee required?
• What amenities are not included in the pricing?
• What payment methods are accepted?
• Under what conditions might a resident be asked to leave the facility?
• How much notice is required if a resident plans to vacate?

Health Care and Medical Support

• What health care services are provided?
• Are there multiple levels of care, and how are these levels determined?
• Is an individual care plan created for each resident? Are residents and family members included in this process?
• What medical professionals are available on-site?
• Are staff members certified in CPR or other emergency procedures?
• Who manages visits from outside care providers?
• Can staff administer medications to residents?
• How are changes in a resident’s medical needs handled?
• What are the procedures in the event of a medical emergency?

Amenities and Community Services

• Is transportation provided, and what destinations are included in the service?
• Are private dining rooms available for family gatherings or special events?
• Is housekeeping offered?
• Are linen and laundry services included?
• Are cable TV and telephone services included, or is there an additional cost?
• Is wireless internet provided, and is it included in the cost?
• Are there scheduled activities for residents?
• Is there access to professional fitness staff?

Living Spaces

• What apartment or unit sizes are available (studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom)?
• Is the rental agreement lease-based or month-to-month?
• Can family members visit anytime?
• How many units are available in the facility?
• Are pets allowed?
• Can residents bring their own furniture?

Dining and Activities

• What meals are included in the meal plan?
• Are snacks and beverages available throughout the day?
• Where and how are meals served?
• Can meals be delivered to the resident’s apartment or unit?

By addressing these questions, you can better assess whether an assisted living facility meets your unique needs and preferences, ensuring peace of mind and a comfortable environment for your next chapter.

FAQs

What is the difference between assisted living and skilled nursing?

Assisted living provides help with daily activities like bathing, meals, and medication management in a more residential setting. Skilled nursing offers round-the-clock medical care and rehabilitation services for individuals with serious health conditions.

What is the highest level of assisted living?

The highest level of assisted living typically includes comprehensive care for individuals with significant physical or cognitive needs, often referred to as memory care or enhanced assisted living.

Does Medicaid/Medicare cover assisted living facilities?

Medicare generally does not cover assisted living, but Medicaid may help with certain costs, depending on state-specific programs and eligibility.

Can you bring your car into assisted living?

Many assisted living facilities allow residents to bring their cars, provided they are still able to drive safely and the facility has parking available.

Do assisted living facilities allow pets?

Most assisted living facilities allow pets, but policies vary, and some may have restrictions on size, type, or number of pets.

Do assisted living facilities have nurses?

Yes, many assisted living facilities have nurses on staff or available on-call to assist with medical needs, though they may not provide 24/7 medical care like skilled nursing facilities.

Are assisted living costs tax deductible?

Assisted living costs may be tax-deductible if they qualify as medical expenses under IRS guidelines, especially if the resident requires substantial assistance with daily activities.

How do I find assisted living near me?

You can search for assisted living facilities near you by using online directories, contacting your local government's Division of Aging, or asking for recommendations from friends and family. It is also important to visit the facility in person and ask about their services, amenities, and costs before making a decision.