What is assisted living, and how do I know it’s right for my loved one?

Assisted living communities are for people needing assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) but wishing to live as independently as possible for as long as possible. Assisted living exists to bridge the gap between independent living and nursing homes. Residents in assisted living centers are not able to live by themselves, but do not require constant care either.

Assisted living communities are a cost-effect way of getting extra care for a loved one without paying nursing home costs or restricting them to nursing home rules. Assisted living communities are more affordable and offer many amenities to enhance the quality of life for seniors who are still in basically good health.

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

Assisted living communities offer help with ADLs such as:

  • Assistance with medications
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Eating
  • Housekeeping
  • Incontinence Care
  • Laundry
  • Mobility

Many communities 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 and some Assisted Living communities have nurses on-duty 24 hours and can provide more extensive medical services than others. Assisted living is not an alternative to a nursing home, but an intermediate level of long-term care appropriate for many seniors.

How Does an Assisted Living Community Differ from a Nursing Home?

Nursing homes are designed to care for very frail people that may be bedfast; require ambulation assistance with a Hoyer lift; require respirators or IV therapy, restraints, or very complex calorie count therapeutic diets. Assisted living communities are often deemed necessary when the person in question needs help preparing meals, bathing, dressing, mobility, toileting, performing household chores, is sometimes confused, or is experiencing memory problems.

What is Independent Living?

Independent living is for people who want to and are able to live independently but do not want to maintain a home. Many people prefer to live in a community with others of the same age and with similar interests. An independent retirement community allows for a great deal of social activities and trips. Many independent living communities also offer prepared meals and provide a wide range of amenities.

What are Continuing Care Retirement Communities?

A Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) generally is a continuum of healthcare that usually houses independent living, assisted living and nursing/skilled care all in one building or on one campus. While the benefit of moving easily from one level to the next generally is available, in each level the environment is usually very different and still feels like a significant change to the elderly person. At the Inn at Belden Village the nurses that are on duty 24-hours, the Special Care environment; the Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and the Hospice interventions available truly allow the individual to “age in place” without changing their “home” environment.

Arrange a Tour of Our Community

Contact us today to setup your tour and free chef-prepared lunch in our dining room at The Inn at Belden Village. See the difference for yourself of how comfortable and well-cared for your loved one could be in an assisted living community.