Assisted living is a housing option for elderly people who need help with some of the activities of daily living. The staff at an assisted living facility help residents with a wide variety of tasks depending on the residents level of functioning. Some residents just need help monitoring their medications and housekeeping. Other residents might have complex medical needs or may need help with basic care functions like bathing and dressing.
Assisted living emerged in the 1990’s as an eldercare alternative for people who can’t live alone but also don’t need the intensive 24-hour care provided by a nursing home. Most assisted living facilities have private apartments where residents have their own bedroom and bathroom and may have a separate living area or small kitchen. Common areas provide an opportunity for activities such as seminars, games, crafts, and movies. Residents gather in the dining room for nutritious meals, and socializing.
In Connecticut, an assisted living facility consists of a managed residential community (MRC) registered with the Department of Public Health and an assisted living services agency (ALSA) licensed with the Department of Public Health. The MRC is the landlord and the ALSA provides nursing and care services.
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 ALSA. The plan is updated regularly to assure that the resident receives the appropriate care as his or her condition changes.
How does an assisted living facility differ from a nursing home?
Nursing homes care for very frail people who are not able to care for themselves and have numerous health care issues requiring the assistance of a doctor or nurse. Assisted living facilities assist elderly people who can live independently but need some help with activities of daily living. Residents of assisted living facilities may move to a nursing home as their health care needs increase beyond those a companion or homemaker can provide.
How do assisted living facilities differ from continuing care retirement communities (CCRC)?
Facilities with units for independent living and a licensed nursing home on the same premises are known as continuing care retirement communities. The resident can transfer between the independent living residences and the nursing home as his or her condition and needs change without having to look for a new facility, relocate, or adapt to a new setting. For example, the resident may begin in the independent living residences and eventually move to the nursing home as ongoing care becomes necessary. To enter a CCRC, you have to be able to live independently just like in assisted living.
Assisted living facilities are just one option in a wide range of senior housing options available. Selecting the right facility for you or your parent is a daunting task in part because there are so many options. That is why we wrote the “Southeastern Connecticut Senior Services Guide” which you can recieve by filling out the short form on our home page.
