Senior Assisted Living

Senior Assisted Living Communities are designed specifically for seniors who require some assistance with some or all of their Activities of Daily Living (self/personal care), coordination of services, and monitoring of their safety, health and well-being. They are between independent living communities and skilled nursing facilities in terms of services and support available.

This article covers the following:

• Description
• What Services are Available?
• Who Should Consider Assisted Living?
• Costs
• What If I Need More Care?
• How to Choose

Description

Senior Assisted Living Communities vary in size from small residential houses for 3 residents to very large facilities providing services to hundreds of residents. They vary in definition and licensing requirements depending on the state/province. Assisted living falls between an independent living community and a skilled nursing facility in terms of the level of services provided. Continuing care retirement communities combine all three levels of care in one place (independent living, assisted living, and nursing care).

Newer senior assisted living communities will usually have private apartments that seniors furnish with their own belongings. They do not have special medical monitoring equipment that you would find in a nursing home or nursing staff available at all hours. However, trained staff (usually care aides) are usually on-site 24/7 to provide other needed services and there is a 24/7 emergency response system (pendent and pull cord systems). Household tasks are performed: linen washed and changed, laundry, and meals. Some homes even have a beauty salon on site and grocery service. They also have shared common rooms for socializing and eating.

Other senior assisted living communities contain individual living spaces that are similar to a dormitory or hotel room consisting of a private or semi-private sleeping area and a shared bathroom. There are typically common areas for socializing and a central kitchen and dining room for preparing and eating meals.

Common to all assisted living communities is access to personal care assistance, which may include help with bathing, grooming, dressing, and medication management that is provided by care aides and monitored by a community care nurse.

What Services are Available?

In every type of senior assisted living communities, personal care assistance is available to assist seniors with day to day activities; such as bathing, dressing, and medications.

Community Health Workers (Also called Personal Care Staff, Care Aides, Home Support Workers) provide services following a needs assessment by a community care nurse.

The nursing care and visits by health care professionals can be arranged if needed and provided by local health care providers. However, professional health care staff are not present on the site.

The operator of the senior assisted living community is responsible for maintaining the building and providing other services (meals, cleaning, linen/laundry, activities, and 24-hour emergency response).

Who Should Consider Assisted Living?

A typical senior assisted living facility resident would be a senior man or a woman who does not need the intensive services of a nursing home but needs some assistance in day-to-day living (personal/self care).

Residents also do not need to prepare meals as meals are provided. The central dining facility also allows for visiting with others without having to leave the community. This greatly reduces the isolation that elderly tend to experience when living alone in the community.

The decision to move into a senior assisted living community can be difficult. Although loved ones may prefer you move, it is ultimately a personal decision and it is important that you feel comfortable with your choice.

If you answer "yes" to most of the questions below, then you should consider moving into Senior Assisted Living.

• Do you feel like you lack the energy to live a full life (safely complete grocery shopping, prepare meals, self care, etc)?
• Many seniors use so much energy doing the basics (self care, meals, cleaning, etc) that there is not enough energy for enjoying friends, hobbies and other activities.
• Do you sometimes feel lonely or isolated at home?
• Are you finding it difficult to get out and socialize because you do not have the energy or endurance.
• Do you feel afraid of being alone?
• Are you afraid of falling and not being found for some time?
• Are you not eating well balanced nutritious meals on a regular basis?
• Do you have difficulty remembering your medications at the correct time?
• Do you need assistance with bathing, dressing and other activities of daily living?
• Do you have difficulty with the design of your current home? For example, with the bathroom.

Costs

Costs vary depending on location, building services and amenities. They range from low income to luxury resort like communities.

The monthly charge for most publicly funded Senior Assisted Living is based on income. For example, in some parts of Canada residents pay 70% of their monthly after-tax income, up to a maximum amount.

What If I Need More Care?

Seniors can continue to reside in Senior Assisted Living if:

• their health remain stable
• they can make decisions on their own behalf (or live with a spouse who is willing and able to make decisions on their behalf)
• their care needs do not exceed what can be provided in Assisted Living

If these cannot be met, the senior may have to move to a more appropriate setting such as a skilled nursing facility.

How to Choose

Seniors need to research and tour local senior assisted living communities to make an informed decision. Many communities have long wait lists so it's important to plan ahead and put your name down before you need to move.

Some things to think about when choosing a community include:

Living Space

• Can I easily move around in the aparetment and the building?
• Will my equipment fit in the apartment (e.g. walker, wheelchair)?
• Is it a non-smoking building?
• Is there any street noise?
• What are the rules about decorating my apartment?
• Do I supply my own window coverings and shower curtains?
• May I have a pet?
• Can pets visit?
• May I have overnight guests? Is there a guest suite?
• What kind of storage is available?
• Is a parking spot available? Is there a cost?

Location

• Do I like the neighbourhood?
• Is it near family and friends?
• Is it near services?
• Is it close to public transportation?

Costs and Monthly Charges

• How much is the damage/security deposit?
• What damages am I responsible for?
• Do I need to supply my own cleaning supplies?
• What other expenses am I responsible for?

Electric/Power mobility

• Can I take my scooter or electric wheelchair inside the building?
• Where are scooters parked?
• Can I easily get to my room from the scooter parking area?

Dining and Food Services

• Are menus posted? Are there choices?
• Can I have a special diet designed to meet my health needs?
• Can I take my walker, wheelchair or scooter to the table or to my apartment?
• What if I am ill and cannot get to the dining room?
• Can guests come to eat with me? Is there a cost?

Resident Rights and Responsibilities

• Is there a resident council?
• Is there a formal suggestion, complaint or grievance process and procedures?
• How are family concerns addressed?

Safety and Emergency Services

• Are emergency fire plans in place and practised?
• Are there smoke/fire alarms and sprinkler systems?
• What is the emergency response system (pendent, pull cord, both)?
• Are building doors locked? When?

Activities/Recreation

• Are there activities, events and religious services in the community?
• Is an activity calendar provided to residents?
• How often are community activities?
• Is wheelchair-accessible transportation available?
• What services are available in the community/building (e.g. hair, nails, foot care)?