Update: Assisted Living Concepts Today
Assisted Living concepts are relatively new, developing only in the last twenty years. It used to be that people went directly from their homes into nursing homes when they couldn't keep up--not a good option when medical attention was not needed. Many people who went into nursing homes were not in need of nursing at all--they just needed some assistance with daily living, but there was no other way to get care for the elderly. With the coming of the boomer generation, the demand produced a product of the middle road--assisted living. Assisted living is a win-win situation for everyone. As people age, and they are aging in greater numbers than ever before, people will need appropriate services for their stage of life. The idea is to have a home that will provide assistance for people who do not need nursing. In fact, mobility is a necessary component. Should mobility no longer exist, then a nursing home is more appropriate than an assisted living facility. Assisted living concepts offers basic services, generally lodging, meals, medication assistance and sometimes more personal care of bathing and dressing and more. There may or may not be an additional level of care for residents with Alzheimer's or dementia, depending on the services offered at a particular facility. The average age of residents usually is early 80's but can range from 50's. There are usually more women than men but men find the facilities very helpful. CONTINUING CARE OR LIFE CARE COMMUNITIES: Continuing care communities are life care communities that offer independent living and an assisted living option, should it ever be needed. The idea is that people interested in these communities will not have to move as they age or even if they become incapacitated, unlike purely assisted living communities where mobility is required in order to stay. It is important to check the financial stability of the community if a refund of a large deposit is promised back. A large deposit is usually part of a CCRC but not always. Also, please check the services offered and the type of community. ASSISTED LIVING CONCEPTS IN MEMORY CARE: Some assisted facilities specialize in memory issues such as Alzheimer's treatment and other dementias. The facility may be designated entirely for memory care or be another level of assisted living. These facilities are more costly than basic assisted living because the resident requires more services or more time. If Alzheimer's runs in a family, the person may wish to consider a long term insurance policy at an early age. Please check with experts for the best thing for you. Alzheimer's disease is the most prevalent and serious of all the dementia disorders and requires specialized treatment. There are many facilities today devoted only to this disease due to the increasing demand as the baby boomer generation ages. A person may start out in assisted living and if it becomes necessary may need to move up to a unit for memory care residents. Today there is not yet a cure for Alzheimer's, but there are many therapies and medicines that help care for those with this disease and other dementias. ASSISTED LIVING CONCEPTS: HELPING SENIORS AND THEIR FAMILIES: Assisted living helps adult children who are working and cannot care for their parents as they would wish. The aging parents are happy because today's assisted living facilities are more like a welcoming home and less like an institution with new modern attitudes and programs. They encourage independence. Assisted communities want their facilities to be a real home. It is becoming more prevalent that there are people in assisted living facilities who need minimal assistance such as with having meals, housekeeping, medication monitoring and laundry and continue to work. They just want to take life easier. There are other residents at assisted living facilities who feel they cannot live alone but wish to remain independent as long as possible. One drawback to assisted living is the cost. Many people who could benefit, cannot afford assisted living. We are asking the question, "can we find ways to make assisted living more affordable so that more people can benefit." This is a challenge of assisted living today. Some areas are far less costly than others and so that can be an option. There are also low income facilities with income limits. So far, costs have risen every year and may continue to do so as demand increases. There are more types of assisted living facilities than active retirement communities and more of them. It is important to match the services offered with your needs and it is this availability of specific care that makes them so valuable. More and more, assisted living communities and facilities today have wellness goals and programs aimed to keep people living longer independently. ASSISTED LIVING CONCEPTS INTERNATIONALLY: Assisted living is becoming important internationally as the world population is aging, not just the United States. China's population is aging faster and is much larger than our own. All the world's nations are modeling their communities after the United States to a significant degree and all are sharing ideas. It is becoming easier for Americans to retire in foreign countries that may have a lower cost of living, and due to this sharing, assisted living facilities in other parts of the world are much like our own. Assisted living as an industry is only just beginning to bloom and continues to evolve, as our world population is turning grey, to meet the specific demands of baby boomers. This is an information only website. Please do your own thorough investigation of Assisted Living Concepts types of care and facilities. This information is not opinion or advice. Seek experts in these fields for advice. You are responsible for your own decisions in all matters.
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