- An assisted living facility is appropriate for seniors who can no longer perform daily tasks by themselves but who are still able to live independently at some level. Assisted living facilities provide help with these tasks while allowing seniors privacy. They may also provide exercise and social offerings to residents. Some assisted living facilities are part of what are called continuing care retirement communities, which also contain independent living communities and nursing homes.
- Assisted living facilities provide cooking help and pre-cooked, communally served meals, housekeeping services and laundry to residents. They also offer more personal services, such as help with bathing, dressing and taking medication. Residents should be able to choose which services they need. Assisted living facilities also have medical services, although they are limited in scope when compared to those offered by a nursing home.
- Even if seniors have severe illnesses, such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's and cognitive disabilities, they may still be able to reside in an assisted living facility, as some facilities are equipped to tend to people with these conditions. Some assisted living facilities also provide respite care (short-term stays to provide free time for caretakers) and hospice care.
- Staying in an assisted living facility can be an expensive proposition. Medicare may pay for some services provided at an assisted living facility, but it will not directly pay for assisted living facilities. Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income may provide some funding. Most people pay assisted living facility fees using private funds, such as money from pensions or investments. Long-term care insurance policies can also cover assisted living facility costs.
- Before you or a loved one moves into an assisted living facility, there are possible problems that you should anticipate. If a he or a caretaker may have to hire a private nurse or the resident may even be asked to leave the facility. If a resident requires additional individual care (for example, if he suffers from dementia and needs continual assistance performing daily tasks), he or a caretaker may have to hire a private nurse or the resident may be asked to leave the facility. Assisted living facilities may raise prices with little warning or may charge extra for additional services such as transportation, television connections or telephone use. Make sure that your budget can handle any possible extra fees. Before you select an assisted living facility, make sure to thoroughly inspect a range of choices and to carefully read any contract before signing (see Resources below).
