Here are important differences to consider when you're searching for an assisted living facility:
Location.
Size.
Services.
Cost.
Culture.
Location
The importance of location depends on each potential resident and their preference. Many prefer to stay in the community where they were living, so they can remain close to friends and familiar surroundings. Sometimes family members want to have a loved one move to an assisted living community close to them, so they can more easily visit. Residents and families may also want to consider the assisted living community’s proximity to other health care providers, like a hospital or doctor’s office, to be prepared for when additional health care is needed.
Size
The average number of licensed beds in an assisted living facility is 33, according to NCAL. Facilities vary widely in size, from small facilities with four to 10 beds to extra-large facilities with more than 100 beds. Specific state data is available on NCAL's website. Staff-to-resident ratio matters, too. Group homes, also known as adult family homes or board-and-care homes, are an emerging type of assisted living facility that generally has fewer residents and as many as one staff member per five or six residents, which is a favorable ratio that allows staff members to really get to know each resident and provide personalized care. These small group homes are typically located in regular neighborhoods.
Services
Residents in assisted living often need help with only a few activities of daily living, (such as) bathing, dressing and walking, and do not require 24-7 skilled nursing care like the residents in nursing homes. While the typical assisted living facility offers dining services, housekeeping, exercise and wellness programs, and medication management support, some provide tailored services based on specific health needs. These may include – but are not limited to – Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia, such as memory care units, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and particular medical conditions, such as Parkinson's disease or other needs. Ask the assisted living community whether they offer any specialized care if your loved one has a unique condition.
Currently, about 14% of assisted living communities provide Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia-specific programs, while about 9% only serve adults with dementia, according to NCAL.
Most facilities provide health care services such as a pharmacy/pharmacist, dietary support and physical, occupational and speech therapy. According to NCAL, about 65% provide hospice and skilled nursing, while slightly more than half provide mental health counseling or social work services.
Cost
Whether or not you can afford an assisted living facility – and how you intend to it – is a major factor to consider. Your budget also may dictate the room size or if you’ll have a private or shared room.
Assisted living is largely paid for through personal resources, while most nursing home residents are covered by Medicare or Medicaid, due to the way those government programs currently cover long-term care. The NCAL website offers more information about paying for assisted living.
Some facilities take a handful of residents who use Medicaid and other communities are entirely residents on Medicaid. Depending on the policy, long-term care insurance may help cover assisted living. Check your schedule of benefits. “Be very clear on what would be considered assisted living.”
If you’re not receiving caregiving help with at least some activities of daily living, for instance, that may not qualify as assisted living for insurance purposes. Facilities can differ in how you pay for them. That may involve an upfront cost, monthly rent, a la carte services or a tiered system.
Culture
You can't really know what it's like to live in an assisted living facility until you do it. But you can get a very telling taste if you visit your potential options first, and not just virtually. It’s really worthwhile to visit any assisted living facility you’re considering, in person. Touring an assisted living community is extremely important in the selection process to ensure families and residents get a good idea of what to expect, meet staff and see first-hand what a loved one will be experiencing,
Comments