Our experienced Geriatric Care Managers can assist you with the difficult task of selecting a quality assisted living care facility for your or your loved one. Our lead Gerontologist and founder of My Mom n’ Pop, Susan B Geffen will help or assign another qualified Geriatric Care Manager to help find an assisted living facility that meets your criteria and comfortably fits your budget requirements.
By filling out the form below, Susan can take a look at your case and contact you with the kind of care that is right for your family’s situation.
Check out Susan’s Elder Life Series videos to see how Susan has helped other families with finding Assisted Living.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Assisted Living
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What is Assisted Living?
An ideal candidate for assisted living is someone who can no longer live on their own safely but who does not need skilled nursing care. It's ideal for someone who needs some assistance with activities of daily living like bathing, grooming, eating, etc.
Assisted living services vary greatly among assisted living facilities. Meals, housekeeping, laundry service, transportation, medication assistance, emergency call service, planned activities, licensed nursing, and round-the-clock staff are some of the amenities provided, depending on what a resident wants and needs. Most communities offer licensed nurses on staff, with caregiver staff available 24 hours, medication assistance, observation of health status, limited health care assistance in accordance with state regulations, and assistance with accessing outside health care services.
The term used for assisted living facilities differs across the country. Other common terms for these facilities include:
· Residential care
· Personal care
· Adult congregate living care
· Board and care
· Domiciliary care
· Adult living facilities
· Supported care
· Enhanced care
· Community based retirement facilities
· Adult foster care
· Adult homes
· Sheltered housing
· Retirement residences -
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What is the difference between Assisted Living and Nursing Home Care?
The main difference between assisted living and a nursing home is "the level of care someone needs." Nursing home would be the right choice for someone who doesn't need to be in a hospital, but who needs fairly constant nursing care. An assisted living facility typically offers more independence and less intensive medical care.
Some believe it all comes down to "customer focus."
Nursing facilities have had a tendency to look at the government as their customer. That's because Medicare and Medicaid usually pick up a resident's tab.
Most nursing homes are not able to cater to a resident's individual preferences because they are heavily regulated by the federal government. These regulations decide when residents take their meals and even how often they bathe. Assisted living, he says, allows residents to make these decisions for themselves: It's a matter of being asked vs. being told.
Of course, nursing home regulations are in place to protect residents' rights and ensure that they aren't neglected. Some are not able to make decisions for themselves -- people with advanced Alzheimer's disease, for example.
In terms of cost, the difference between nursing-home care and assisted living is often not all that significant.
Assisted living is generally paid for out-of-pocket -- those who would be best served by assisted living may not qualify for government support. They would have to pay for either option.
Another key difference between assisted living and nursing homes is that assisted-living facilities offer a more home-like atmosphere.
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Types of Assisted Living Facilities available
While Assisted Living Facilities are residential in character, there is no standard blueprint because consumers' preferences and needs vary so greatly. Assisted Living residences can range from a high-rise apartment constructed as an Assisted Living Facility, to a converted Victorian home, to a renovated school. They can be free standing or housed with other options, such as independent living or nursing care. They may be studio apartments, or one-bedroom apartments with scaled-down kitchens.
An Assisted Living complex will typically be built with 25 to 110 units, varying in size from one room to a full apartment. This larger type of Assisted Living Facility may have a group dining area and common areas for social and recreational activities.
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Services provided in an Assisted Living Facility
The basic services an Assisted Living Facility provides include:
* Three meals per day, often served in a restaurant-like setting, with menus and salad bars
* 24-hour supervision
* Personal care assistance (bathing, dressing, grooming, eating)
* Housekeeping and laundry
* Transportation
* Minor medical supervision, such as assistance with medication
* Security and emergency call systems
* Health and exercise programs
* Social, cultural and educational activitiesIn addition, some facilities offer:
* Recreation rooms
* Exercise rooms
* Outdoor gardens
* Libraries
* ChapelsAn Assisted Living Facility may also arrange for residents to receive senior services in the community, such as adult day care, shopping and recreation, and may provide social work assistance to coordinate these services.
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Special needs met in an Assisted Living Facilities for seniors
Some Assisted Living Facilities can handle special needs, such as:
* Cognitive disabilities
* Short-term care
* Respite Care (to give regular caregivers a break)
* Interim medical care after a hospital stay
* Alzheimer's
* Parkinson's
* Terminal illnesses (Hospice Care) -
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Choosing an Assisted Living Facility
The resources section offers several comprehensive checklists to use when visiting different Assisted Living Facilities. In general, keep these points in mind:
1) Living area and accommodations:
* Is the community well-designed for residents' needs? Does it include safety features?
* What types of units are available and how much does each cost?
* Does the staff greet you warmly? Do they call residents by name?
* Do residents socialize with each other and appear happy?
* Talk with some of the residents. Do they seem like people whom you'd enjoy getting to know?
* Do residents have a choice of eating in common dining areas or their own units?
* Is the food nutritious, appetizing, and prepared according to dietary restrictions?
* If you have a pet, find out whether pets are welcome in your residence.2) Personal care/services:
* What professionals are on staff?
* What are their qualifications and availability?
* Are the custodial care services offered what you want and need?
* What social, recreational and fitness programs are available?3) Licensing and costs:
* Does the facility meet local and state licensing requirements?
* Is government, private, or corporate assistance available?
* What are the costs, including any additional fees for extra services?
* Do residents receive a written service plan that is periodically reviewed and adjusted? -
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Checklist for Consumers and Prospective Residents
Planning Ahead: A Consumer's Guide to Assisted Living Facilities
Checklist For Consumers And Prospective Residents
When you are looking for an assisted living or residential care setting for yourself or a loved one, please consider the following checklist to help you make the best choice.
Moving In
• What does the moving in process entail? What are the paperwork requirements and the timeframes involved?
• How is the initial assessment managed? Who completes the assessment?
• Is the residence affiliated with a hospital or nursing home should acute or long-term care be needed? If so, is there a priority admission process?
• If you need hospital or nursing home care, is your room held? What are the associated fees? Is there a discount for unused services (e.g. meals)?
• Does the residence subscribe to a set of resident rights and responsibilities? Are they available?
Service Planning
• Are the family and the resident involved in the service planning process? How often are residents needs assessed? Who completes the assessment?
• Are there special programs for memory impaired residents and residents suffering with dementia? Are there accommodations for memory-impaired residents to be outside and exercise?
• Are there special programs for residents with disabilities?
• How are emergency situations managed? What is the protocol for such events?
• What happens if the health care needs of a resident change? Under what conditions are residents asked to move if there is a change in health status?
Services and Activities
• Does staff assist residents in administration of medication? If so, what kind of staff?
• Must the resident use the residence’s pharmacy? Does the pharmacy provide a yearly review and consultation services?
• Are there professional nursing services on site? If not, does the staff assist residents and families in making arrangements through a home health agency?
• Are the services of a physical, occupational or speech therapist available or arranged?
• Does the residence provide bed linens and towels?
• Does the residence provide laundry service?
• Are there beauty shop services available on site?
• What recreational and spiritual activities are available? Obtain or review a copy of the activities calendar.
• Are the activity supplies available for resident use outside of scheduled programs?
• Is transportation provided for medical appointments and recreational purposes?
• Is there a resident council? How often does it meet?
• What are the suggestion, complaint, or grievance procedures?
Staff
• Ask about the residence’s staffing patterns and philosophy about staffing.
• What training and qualifications are required for staff? Are there ongoing training programs provided for staff?
• Observe staff and resident interactions. Are they positive? Courteous?
• Do staff handle resident requests in a timely way?
• Does the residence have a volunteer program? If yes, what types of activities do the volunteers perform?
• Does the administrator/ director practice an “open door” policy?
Costs and Fees
• What is included in the basic monthly cost? Ask for a written copy.
• Does the residence have a written schedule of fees for extra services? If so, request a copy.
• Under what circumstances might the fees change? How much notice is given if there is a fee increase?
• Is there a security deposit? What is the refund policy?
• Can service agreements and/or contracts be amended or modified?
Dining and Food Services
• Does the residence accommodate special diets?
• Does a dietician or nutritionist review the menus? Request or review copies of the menus.
• How often do the menus rotate? Are residents and families involved in the menu planning?
• Are residents allowed to have guests for meals? Is there a separate guest dining room?
• What are the criteria for residents to eat meals in their rooms?
Living Space and Accommodations
• Are there adequate community areas for resident use?
• Are the resident rooms furnished or unfurnished? What is the policy about personal belongings?
• What is the policy for overnight guests? Are there guestrooms available? What are the guest fees?
• Is additional storage space available? Is there an extra fee?
• Does the residence meet the rules for people with disabilities?
• Can residents have automobiles? Is there assigned parking? Is there an extra fee?
• Are there patios and courtyards available for resident use? Is there an area for resident gardening?
• Does the residence provide security?
• Are pets allowed to reside in the residence? If so, are there additional fees and or deposits? If not, are pets allowed to visit?
Licensure and Certification
• Is the residence licensed? Ask to review the last licensing/certification report.
• If the state requires the administrator to be licensed or certified, is it current?
• Does the staff actively participate in trade or professional associations?
Location
• Is the location of the residence convenient to shopping, medical services, and entertainment areas?
• Can family members and visitors easily locate the residence for visiting?
Final Checklist Prior to Signing the Service Contract
This checklist is provided to the family and prospective resident as a final tool once an assisted living residence has been chosen. Use this as a reminder for issues which need to be addressed and fully understood.
Make sure you:
____ Know what the basic service package includes
____ Know all costs associated with your service package
____ Know about additional services and their associated fees (e.g., medication management)
____ Know the circumstances why fees might change and how much notice is given to families and residents
____ Understand the services planning process
____ Understand the service contract
____ Know about the criteria and policies associated with discharge
____ Understand resident rights and responsibilities
____ Know the residence's grievance policy and procedure
____ Understand how many staff are available and their qualifications
____ Have the name and telephone number of the staff contact person
Assisted Living Blog Articles
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