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ASSISTED LIVING: INDEPENDENCE, CHOICE AND DIGNITY Assisted Living Today Assisted living is a long term care alternative for seniors who need more assistance than is available in a retirement community, but who do not require the heavy medical and nursing care provided in a nursing facility. While many seniors relocate to an assisted living residence after a period of rehabilitation in a nursing home or hospital, nearly half come directly from their homes. Assisted living residences are designed to be operated, staffed, and maintained to best meet the needs and desires of their residents. Security and independence, privacy and companionship, and physical and social well-being are the primary characteristics of an assisted living setting; this accounts for its popularity among seniors and their families. Individuals receive, as needed, supervision, personal care assistance, and health care services that emphasize their right to control their lives. Extended life expectancy and the graying of America are at the heart of the unprecedented demand for a variety of long term health care services. In 2000, about one in eight Americans was aged 65 or older; by 2030, it is estimated that approximately one in five will be aged 65 or older. What You Can Expect In An Assisted Living Residence Residents live in a congregate residential setting that generally provides personal services, 24- hour supervision and assistance, activities and health-related services, designed to: ♦ Minimize the need to relocate; ♦ Accommodate individual residents’ changing needs and preferences; ♦ Maximize residents’ dignity, autonomy, privacy, independence, choice, safety; and ♦ Encourage family and community involvement. Assisted living services can be provided in freestanding facilities, on a campus with skilled nursing facilities or hospitals, as components of continuing care retirement communities, or at independent housing complexes. |