What Is Assisted Living? A Comprehensive Guide
With so many options available, determining if you loved one could benefit from Assisted Living can be overwhelming. This helpful guide explains the differences between Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing, the benefits and costs associated with each, and when it might be time to consider this type of care for your loved one.
Assisted Living provides a balance for individuals who need some assistance, but want to remain as independent as possible. Although an Assisted Living community and a Nursing Home (or Skilled Nursing Facility) are both forms of long-term care, they have many differences including the level of care, amenities and style of apartments offered.
If your loved one is struggling with meal preparation, maneuvering around the house, getting dressed, bathing, managing their medication, or if you are worried about social isolation and/or their safety, it may be time to explore Assisted Living.
What Does Assisted Living Provide?
Assisted Living communities typically offer an all-inclusive package that includes:
- Up to 28 hours of supportive and nursing care services every week
- Medication management
- Assistance with using the bathroom
- Dressing
- Bathing and grooming
- Activity and lifestyle programming
- Scheduled transportation
- Three nutritious meals daily
- Laundry and housekeeping services
- All utilities
At Regency, we assess residents before they move in so we can create an individualized plan to meet their needs. Even more, care staff is available 24/7 to help with safety and support.
What Assisted Living Doesn’t Provide
In short, Assisted Living communities are not designed and licensed for individuals who need a higher level of care around-the-clock. Many times after a senior is hospitalized, it is common for them to stay at a skilled nursing facility to recover from surgery, injury or illness. During their stay, rehabilitation, physical therapy, occupational therapy and social work services may be offered. Medical care is not offered in Assisted Living aside from the supportive care services listed above.
Benefits of Assisted Living
Making the move to Assisted Living can have many benefits for the person needing assistance and their loved ones as well.
"A Quality of Life in Assisted Living Survey in 2019 found that when seniors moved into assisted living, 87% of residents and 78% of family members reported being satisfied or very satisfied with their overall experience in the community."
Assisted Living offers comfort and peace-of-mind, and family members are able to spend more time enjoying the company of their loved one instead of taking care of them.
How Much Does Assisted Living Cost?
Assisted Living costs vary depending on the residence size, types of services needed, geographic location and amenities offered. However, it is often less expensive than home health care. In fact, "the Genworth Cost of Care Survey 2019 estimates the national median monthly rate for assisted living is $4,051. A room in a Nursing Home costs about $8,500 per month, and home health services cost about $141 each day."
For a limited time only, Regency Senior Communities is offering Assisted Living apartments starting at $3100.
Call (262) 789-1699 to schedule a tour today!
Sources
People, Place, Programming: Quality of Life in Assisted Living 2019
https://www.genworth.com/aging-and-you/finances/cost-of-care.html