What is Assisted Living? What Should I Know About Assisted Living?

What is Assisted Living?


After a time, many independent seniors reach an age where they need some assistance with their daily living tasks. This does not mean that the senior citizen is in need of constant supervision by a caretaker or a nursing home.

After a time, many independent seniors reach an age where they need some assistance with their daily living tasks. This does not mean that the senior citizen is in need of constant supervision by a caretaker or a nursing home. Rather, many elderly persons are entirely capable of living independently but for a few key tasks.

It is these seniors who benefit from assisted living programs. With this type of elderly care, the senior typically lives in a large assisted living complex along with other residents of his or her age. He or she possesses a personal apartment and lives a mostly independent life. However, specially trained workers are available within the home care center to provide the senior with any assistance that he or she may require throughout the day. This means that the senior is granted all of the freedom and independence that he or she desires, but still obtains the aid that he or she needs in order to thrive. Although intensive medical services usually must be sought at a nursing home, simpler tasks such as laundry and bathing can be provided by the home care center’s staff.

Assisted living complexes are more similar to a localized senior citizen community than to a nursing home or other elderly care facility. The senior receives as much or as little outside attention as he or she desires. As opposed to more regulated types of home care, residents of these complexes are free to schedule their lives as they choose. Many seniors claim that assisted living programs provide an ideal balance of independence, day-to-day care, and companionship.

At most assisted living facilities, seniors are provided with a number of different activities that they can choose to participate in. Game nights, movie nights, specialized clubs, and more will typically meet on a regular basis. These activities provide the home care facility’s residents with an excellent opportunity to meet new friends and to stave away the loneliness that so many elderly citizens suffer. Additionally, many of these elderly care centers provide their residents with three cooked meals a day as part of their monthly fee. This is greatly beneficial to seniors who are able to mentally function on their own but are too physically weak to prepare their own food. Residents of the complex are able to gather for a warm meal surrounded by the friends that they have grown to love.


Some of these elderly care facilities also provide their residents with certain health services such as dental, medical, or optometry check ups. Senior citizens are usually charged an extra fee on top of their monthly bill for the utilization of these services. However, this arrangement ensures that the residents will never forget or neglect their personal health care.

Moving Your Loved One to Assisted Living: 10 Tips for a Smooth Transition

Two years ago my father-in-law had a small stroke. Family members hoped his mental faculties would return, but they did not. The stroke had caused more damage than we thought. Dad became increasingly forgetful, wasn’t eating right, and wore dirty clothes. We worried about him constantly.

Before the stroke we tried to get Dad to move to an assisted living community and he refused. After the stroke he still refused, so we had a family meeting. The meeting focused on the benefits of assisted living: utilities, cleaning, linens, meals, transportation, recreation program, and personal safety.

After two hours of “spirited” discussion Dad agreed to move. Assisted living is a housing alternative for older adults who want or need assistance. My father-in-law moved into a community that is owned and operated by Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. It is within walking distance of down town and has an excellent reputation.

Sorting Dad’s things took about two months and the steps we followed are below. For more information on assisted living contact the Assisted Living Federation of America, the Consumer Consortium on Assisted Living, the National Center for Assisted Living, the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, and the American Seniors Housing Association.

As you go about your work keep this thought in mind: Moving a loved one is a labor of love.

1. FIND A COMMUNITY. There may be a community in your town or close by. If there isn’t one log onto www.FindAssistedLivingCare.com, a free service that lets you search by state and name. You may also log onto Eldercare Locator, a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website.

2. VISIT THE COMMUNITY. My father-in-law visited several apartments, the main dining room, corner grocery, and other places in the high rise. Give your loved one a chance to think about the visit before he or she visits it again. You may wish to have a surprise visit to make sure the community is a match for your loved one.

3. TALK WITH RESIDENTS. Because Dad knew many of the residents of the community he knew a lot about it. He had attended social functions there and sampled the food, which is excellent.

4. HIGHLIGHT SERVICES. Just the thought of moving upset my father-in-law. Dad had lived alone for years and didn’t enjoy cooking. When we told him he wouldn’t have to cook for himself his face lit up. “Good,” he declared. He would have a complete kitchen in case he wanted to prepare meals.

5. GET A FLOOR PLAN. The assisted living community provided us with a floor plan. This plan helped Dad envision himself in a new place. Having the plan helped us to decide, with input from Dad, where to place his furniture. It also helped us to decide which furniture to keep.

6. SORT GOODS. My sister-in-law, one of the most organized people on the planet, did most of the sorting. Things were sorted into groups: large furniture, small furniture, kitchen things (dishes, silverware, pots and pans), books, antique books, photographs, linens, and artwork.

7. HIRE AN APPRAISER. A professional appraiser will help you determine selling prices and prevent family disagreements. Our appraiser divided Dad’s things into two sub-groups, sell and give-away. He completed his work in two hours and it was a revelation. Some of the things we thought were valuable weren’t and some of the things we thought were junk turned out to be valuable.

8. GIVE THINGS TO FAMILY. Though my father-in-law grieved as his home was dismantled, he found comfort in giving things to his sons, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Keep a list of who gets what to avoid trouble later.

9. HIRE A MOVER. The assisted living community was close to the condo, so we were able to move many things ourselves. We hired a professional mover to move large furniture. To help Dad find things we put sticky notes (dishes, silverware, shirts, etc.) on doors and drawers.

10. MONITOR YOUR LOVED ONE’S HEALTH. Dad was never really happy in his new apartment, probably because the stroke continued to spread. There was too much space for Dad to worry about. After Dad walked into the wrong apartment (he was looking for towels) and exhibited other unsocial behavior, we consulted with staff and family. The collective decision – move Dad to a lower floor where his health and medications would be monitored.

Dad’s new apartment is really a large room and overlooks a charming park. I put his dining table and chairs in front of the window. A wooden screen divides the sleeping area from the living area. Just before Dad walked in the door I put a bouquet of fresh flowers on the table. “This is really nice!” Dad exclaimed. His words were music to my ears.


What Should I Know About Assisted Living?


Just about everyone looks forward to retirement as a time to relax and enjoy life. Often, though, we get too consumed by daily responsibilities to fully relish the leisure time we’ve worked so hard to gain. That’s where a move to assisted living can make quite a difference.

Although Massachusetts assisted living communities tend to be very well-regulated and of unusually good quality, there are certainly major differences among them. People who are familiar with many communities tend to prefer those that that stand out by placing far more emphasis on helping to keep residents active, busy, and involved than most other facilities do. This philosophy can often be manifested by a very warm, personal feeling that comes across readily to prospective residents who stop to talk with current residents, and ask their feelings about living at New Horizons. Indeed, one of the most important considerations for anyone considering assisted living is to speakk directly to existing residents of any particular facility.

Most seniors considering such a move to assisted living are very concerned about maintaining their dignity and independence. Their ages typically range from about 65 to 100, with an average in the low to mid 80s. Moving to a fine residential environment with quality accommodations, good neighbors, and a strong program can often be a major benefit to seniors who have previously lived by themselves. Indeed, they very often “come alive again once they no longer have to concern themselves with the burdens of living alone.

One of the most common sources of confusion for those looking into retiremetn living is the challenge of correctly understanding the difference between independent retirement living and assisted living. The former is typically a living arrangement in residential apartments where elders share common space, but are able to maintain their independence with little or no assistance. Better facilities typically provide three meals daily for all residents, plus utilities, some transportation, housekeeping, etc., as well as standby assistance, if needed, and a wide variety of social activities. In Massachusetts, communities often blend independent living and assisted living options into one facility.

Similar to independent living, assisted living is a housing option for older adults who need some assistance with activities of daily living such as dressing, eating, bathing, ambulating or toileting, but who do not require 24-hour nursing care. They are still able to live independently with some assistance, but that assistance is generally necessary on a daily basis. In many ways, assisted living might be seen as “independent living with an added bonus!”

MA senior assisted-living communities and retirement residences for aged citizens are among the very best. Many folks profoundly seek and appreciate the opportunity to enjoy their “golden years” in a very caring assisted living place convenient to Boston, Worcester, Southboro, Hudson, Northborough, Westboro, Framingham and Fitchburg, Marlborough, and Woburn, MA. Other nearby communities well-populated with quality assisted living options include Sudbury, Wayland, Wellesley, Waltham, Weston and the other towns along MA Route 128. Often, the majority of seniors looking into these communities prefer the many benefits of a large community, with the intimacy of a small assisted-living home where everyone knows your name.

Assisted living facilities should not be confused with a nursing home, but rather a Massachusetts retirement community with many activities. Most such communities are non-sectarian Boston-area senior communities that might offer frequent religious services on-campus and easy access to others. Some include at least weekly Protestant and Jewish services on-site and daily Catholic Mass. Enjoying metro-west elderly care assisted-living with elegant gourmet dining, at low, affordable rates can truly make a difference in the lives of seniors.


Be Prepared For Assisted Living


Assisted living is simply finding help in the form of a care giver or a family member assigned to assist an elder who with illness or diminished mental ability is no longer capable of living an independent life. Depending as to the circumstances involved, an elder may also be sent to a nursing home or a community of professionals wherein she can be well taken care of.

As an elder, know how to decide between assisted living in your children’s home or in a residential home. Ask these questions:

- Is there a spare room available for you?

- Is your lifestyle and the lifestyle of your children compatible?

- Does your children really do want you stay with them? Or are they obligated to take you in?

- Will they be able to provide you with all the care you need?

- Will my presence in their home interfere with them providing for the needs of their own children?

- Can I be of help to my children rather than a burden?

- Do I have resources so that I can afford living in residential care?

1. How to choose the right nursing home for you:

- Consider how much care you need.

- Get referrals from friends and relatives.

- Make a list of all the referrals and visit each one.

- Make sure that the location is near the home of the person that you have chosen and assigned to manage your dealings when you can not.

- Inspect the facilities and the grounds of the home; make sure that it is well maintained and preserved.

- It is best to review a home without any appointment. Just drop by and have a look at everything.

- Are the residents in the home happy, friendly and contented?

- Scrutinize all the rooms, even the ones that they don’t lead you to.

- Request their latest newsletter to see what activities they have that might interest you.

- Inquire and find out how they hire their employees and staff.

- Ask for a written description of the care that they offer and how much do they ask for all their services.

- Ask if they could let you stay for two or three nights so you can get a feel for the place. While you are there, talk to at least three residents and get their opinion on the place.

How to decide if you or a relative is a candidate for assisted living can be easy. It all starts with taking a realistic and a sensible look at your financial status. Four years from now, will you still be able to afford assisted living? Years from now, expenses as well as your medical needs will increase. Will your assets cover everything? Next, carefully weigh the method that a facility cares for their elders. Is the facility caring and sensitive enough in addressing to your loved one’s needs? After you cover these two basics, the rest is up to you.


While determining your own care may be straightforward, you should take additional matters into consideration when providing care for a relative. Be certain that it is clear to them what the facility can as well as can not do. Be sure that the facility should help you look for other ways to provide care in case they are unable to provide support for residents with disorders or disabilities. Consider Section 202 housing if your relative has low income. Put their name on the waiting list at a facility located in your area. Will assisted living improve the quality of life of your loved one, impart camaraderie, and provide plenty of activities to keep them in good health?

2. What questions should you ask yourself when choosing an assisted care facility for your loved one?

- Is the management of the facility experienced?

- Are the residents and their families happy and contented?

- What is the ratio of the staff to residents?

- Does the staff express concern to all the residents? Are they friendly and caring?

- Is there a sincere concern and reverence to the elders?

- Is the facility hygienic and comfortable?

- Do they serve a well balanced meal? Are the meals tempting and attractive?

- Do they offer health and wellness services?

- What are the activities planned for the residents?

- Will your relative like their activities?

- Will your relative like and enjoy the daily life offered in this facility as compared to other options?

- Do the services that they offer as well as the living quality of the facility live up to your standard?

- Does the facilities standards and services worth the cost?

- Is this the type of place that children would love to pay a visit?

- Is the location accessible and convenient enough for family and friends to visit?


Med Carts and Assisted Living Facilities

Med Cart Features

Contemporary med carts are sturdy in construction and adaptable in use. They are made of lightweight aluminum and contain a steadfast inner framework. This flexibility allows the facility to create a customized cart for their specific needs.

Assisted Living Facilities can determine what type of medicine cart or unit dose cart they require. Questions they might ask themselves: what type of organization is necessary for patient records, what accessories for the cart will be needed, like amount of dividers and placement of chart holders? In addition, what safety mechanisms are available for narcotic lock boxes and Sharps disposal systems?

Size of the facility is another consideration. Will a multiple of small carts be used to cover a larger facility? Will one sizable cart do? Will only a small cart be needed to dispense medications to as few as ten residents or is a medium-sized cart necessary in order to service more residents.

Med cart options vary; therefore, the amount of assessment questions Assisted Living Facilities need to ask themselves is immense. In the end, what is generated is a custom-made med cart that adapts to each facility.

Med Carts—Aesthetically Pleasing

Innovative series of med carts that easily integrate into a facility’s environment are becoming increasingly popular. Since Assisted Living Facilities are not nursing homes, a more pleasant and comfortable atmosphere is desired. Here, facilities have a great deal of options available to them as well.

Med carts with the same functionality described in the previous section can be outfitted with an assortment of hard wood finishes. Light oak, dark oak, and even cherry wood finishes are currently available. As a result, options available can address specific needs of residents, but still contribute to the ambience of the facility.

Significantly, med carts of today combine ease of use, choice of configuration, and variety of remarkable exteriors that reflect the individual expression of the Assisted Living Center.


Real Rhode Island Assisted Living

Assisted living is a kind of arrangement that delivers personal care services and help everyday living. It is comparable to the elderly care however the only difference may be the freedom granted towards the citizens as they possibly can receive services inside a residential home like setting.

 The scope of services under assisted living differs from condition to condition because of certification needs. The condition regulation that enables individuals services offered under assisted living facility isn’t standardized. Some kinds of Assisted living services can be found in a single condition but might not be obtainable in other states. However a current ruling is went after to mandate the condition legislature to develop unified type of Assisted living for those states.

 Selecting the best Rhode Island Assisted living facility may be one of probably the most difficult tasks it’s possible to undertake. There comes a place in almost everyone’s lives when our family members achieve a time by which they are able to no more take care of themselves. Even when the problem is not that bad, there’s frequently an excuse for assist in undertaking daily tasks. This is when Rhode Island Assisted living is available in to provide senior citizens the help they might need.

 Thinking about the potential of Rhode Island Assisted living care can be challenging. Possibly it might be simpler to understand that assisted living isn’t always just like putting a family member within a senior home or convalescent facility. Although situation that may demand putting someone in this facility might be necessary in some instances, they are frequently extreme cases.

 Assisted living Rhode Island offers two distinct living styles. The first is Assisted living center getting 11 flats or even more while offering apartment style living and also the second the first is the Assisted living home getting 10 beds or less and therefore are typically situated in residential communities. The only real certification distinction between the assisted living center and house is the physical facility. Assisted living houses have residential style kitchen while assisted living center have large restaurant style kitchen areas.


 You will find three certification groups in assisted living. They’re Supervisory, Personal and Direct care. Direct care offers the greatest degree of care in assisted living. Most remember this is centers and houses are licensed o supply the identical degree of care. To follow exactly the same rules and regulation established and supervised through the Rhode Island department of health services. Assisted living is usually need driven but nonetheless don’t wait for a last second to choose a spot for your family members.



Tags: Assisted Living;elderly care; assisted living programs;assisted living facilities; elderly care facilities;elderly ; caretaker ;assistance ; Assisted Living
Lovely Ladies

Previous Post Next Post