What Can Family Members Expect From Assisted Living?

Senior Assisted Living helps them "age in place."

Assisted living care is intended to allow seniors who can no longer live in their private homes to maintain the greatest level of independence possible while receiving assistance with particular daily activities and medical needs. Many retirement communities offer assisted living care in order to provide a living environment in which seniors can truly "age in place" without the fear of safety issues living alone.

The Environment

Assisted living buildings house up to 120 residents.

Assisted living residential care is generally meant to lodge between 40 and 120 senior residents. Every occupant, including couples, live in a personal studio or one-bedroom apartment with dressers, closets, private bath, and two beds. Meals are furnished within a restaurant-style dining room, which promotes friendly social interaction.

Common areas of the residential area frequently include a library, physical fitness room, beauty parlor, an activities room and TV rooms.

Daily Care

The assisted living staff must provide for basic daily needs like showering.

Prescription medications should be dispensed and re-ordered through the assisted living managing director and faculty. Showering assistance as needed, help with getting dressed and undressed, and help with all daily grooming needs and wishes are services that must be provided.

Added services may consist of personal laundering, pet care, arrangement for doctor appointments and group outings.

What Family Needs to Look For

The facility should be cheerfully decorated and the staff friendly and helpful. The attitudes of the nurses, aids, and administration have a direct bearing on the overall ambiance of the seniors. Ask for a tour and notice the general population. Are they stuck in halls sleeping? Are they being kept clean and receiving timely answers to call lights? Check all areas if messes are cleaned up quickly, there are no hazards for mobility, and if the areas are kept clean and vacuumed.

You are within your rights to ask residents if they have any complaints or issues with the place. Are there bulletin boards placed in convenient areas so the residents can see when and where activities will be held that might interest them.

Ask about the assortment of choices at every meal. If your loved one prefers wheat toast to white, that choice should be available.

Ask how many nurses are on duty for each shift. There should be a ratio of one nurse per 15 residents. A shortage of help could mean that the senior could be in danger of not receiving the assistance they need at any given time.

State Rights

There should also be information available and obvious in case the senior wishes to obtain assistance from the state ombudsman program. That program provides an advocate for seniors should problems arise that they cannot handle themselves.

Such instances may include an issue with another resident, appropriate action if belongings are stolen and issues with staff that cannot be otherwise resolved.

Conclusion

Seniors should not have to worry about giving up a beloved pet, losing their independence, or having to eat food they do not like.

It is important that you keep watch on the facility along with the State advocate. This is to make sure the senior is happy, secure, and that his rights are being honored and sustained.

References

• All Senior Homes
• ALFA

Resources

• Assisted Living Resources