Assisted Living - What is assisted living?

Assisted living facilities - are for people needing assistance with the day-to-day living activities but wish to live as independently as possible for as long as possible. Assisted living is somewhere between independent living and nursing homes. Those residents that live in assisted living centers are not able to live by themselves but do not require constant care either. Assisted living facilities provide help with the day-to-day activities such as eating, bathing, dressing, laundry, housekeeping, and assistance with medications. Many assisted living facilities also have centers for medical care; however, the care offered may not be as intensive or available to residents as the care offered at a nursing home. Assisted living is not an alternative to a nursing home, but an intermediate level of long-term care appropriate for many seniors.

Most assisted living facilities create a service plan for each individual resident upon admission. The service plan details the personalized services required by the resident and guaranteed by the facility. The plan is updated regularly to assure that the resident receives the appropriate care as his or her condition changes.

The term used for assisted living facilities differs from state to state and other terms used to describe 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

Assisted living is the generic term used across the country.

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