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9 Things You Didn’t Know About Assisted Living

1. What is Assisted Living?

Assisted Living residences are designed to maintain the independence of older people who are not safe on their own. They provide assistance with activities of daily living (ADL), such as bathing, dressing and taking medication. They also provide socialization opportunities. They do not provide 24/7 nursing care. Care is customized to the resident’s needs and wants.

2. Assisted Living is a New Concept

The first Assisted Living complex, Park Place, opened in 1981. Its creator,  Dr. Keren Brown Wilson, wanted a way to provide medical and daily care for older adults while maintaining their independence.

By 1986, the concept expanded to offer community areas and activities designed for socialization.

Today, many ALs offer physical, occupational and speech therapy to residents, too.

3.  Assisted Living is NOT a Nursing Home

Assisted Living communities are not nursing homes. They were designed to permit people who only need a little help to live on their own instead of in an institutional setting. Patients who require 24-hour nursing services, who can’t get out of bed or sit up on their own, who can’t transport themselves (whether in a wheelchair or by walking) do not qualify for Assisted Living.

4. The Typical Assisted Living Resident May Resemble a Typical Parent

According to the National Center for Assisted Living, the typical resident is an 87-year-old woman, who is no longer safe cooking her meals, needs reminders of when to take medication, and needs help bathing. She has high blood pressure and may be experiencing the early signs of Alzheimer’s Disease.

5. Assisted Living is Regulated by All 50 States

Although each state has licensing standards for Assisted Living, there is no uniform regulatory standard.

6. Not All AL Communities are the Same

Less than 40 percent of the businesses licensed as some form of assisted care facility actually use the term “assisted living” as part of their formal name.

Personal care-and-board homes, group homes and residential care homes are also considered Assisted Living. Most of these are privately owned and function in residential setting. Some states don’t require these facilities to have the same staffing as larger Assisted Living communities.

Although assisted living facilities differ by state, most offer the following services:

  • Three meals a day
  • Wellness classes and activities
  • Social events
  • Spiritual activities
  • Housekeeping and personal laundry services
  • Coordination with the resident’s personal physician
  • Medication management

7. Residents Can Indulge in AL Communities

Smoke? Drink? Have sex? Residents can feel free to indulge in an AL community. Overnight guests are welcome. Most communities also have a garage or shelter for resident vehicles, which they are free to drive at any time. Some communities also permit pets or pet visits.

8. Costs Are Lower Than You Might Think

Genworth’s 2014 Cost of Care study indicates that the national median monthly rate for Assisted Living communities is $3,500. That’s about half the median rate for nursing home care.

Some states subsidize Assisted Living with Medicaid, Supplementary Security Income or Social Services Block Grant programs. Private long-term care insurance is also used to pay for some costs.

9. Assisted Living Offers Respite Care

Most Assisted Living communities offer short-term stays for potential residents or people recovering from surgery or an illness. Respite care features the same amenities and services — meals, social activities, and personalized attention from the staff — that come with full-time living.

Assisted Living Statistics

Almost 1.2 million people live in approximately 30,000 assisted living communities in the United States.

At least 70 percent of people will need long-term care at some point after they reach age 65, noted a CareScout report.

According to the Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA), assisted living communities have seven times as many women as men.

 

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This checklist will help to make sure you are getting the most out of your visit to The Arbors.

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The Arbors Assisted Living-Guide-Assisted Living Costs and AffordabilityAre you considering assisted living for yourself or a loved one but are hesitant about the cost? Assisted living costs, services and amenities vary greatly among the last and most expensive communities, and costs are higher in some states than others.

This guide will answer questions you may have about the costs of assisted living and recommend resources to help you pay for it.


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The Arbors Assisted Living-Guide-Having “The Talk” With Your Parent: It’s Time for Assisted Living
Talking to your aging parent about moving to an assisted living community isn’t easy.

Often, many adult children avoid bringing it up because it can be a sensitive topic.

This guide will provide you with helpful tips and insight on how to have a productive conversation with your parent and siblings regarding your parent’s future.


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The Arbors Assisted Living-Guide-The Challenges of Aging: How to Handle Your Aging Parent’s Difficult BehaviorsDifficult behaviors in elderly adults are very common. They may be an expression of frustration your loved one feels or a symptom of early stages of dementia or Alzheimer’s.

This guide will provide you with skills and knowledge on how to handle difficult behaviors your aging parent may be experiencing.


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The Arbors Assisted Living-Guide-Becoming a Family Caregiver: What You Need to Know Before Deciding to Take Care of a Loved One
Becoming a family caregiver can be a rewarding experience. It also has its challenges.

There are many questions to answer before making the decision to take care of a loved one.

This guide will provide answers to questions you may have on this topic.


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The Arbors Assisted Living-Guide-Helping Your Parent Manage DepressionIs your parent or loved one depressed, or just in a bad mood?

What does medication and illness have to do with depression?

How can you help? In this guide, you will be provided with answers to the difficult questions you may have about depression.


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The Arbors Assisted Living-Guide-Is It Depression? A Guide to Identifying and Addressing Depression in Aging AdultsHas your aging parent recently lost interest in activities they used to enjoy? Have you noticed a change in their mood and behavior?

This guide will provide you with resources and tools on how to identify depression, what are the common causes of depression, and how to promote mental health in your aging loved one.


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The Arbors Assisted Living-Guide-Assisted Living Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Does your loved one need more support than what they are getting? Would they benefit from some assistance with daily activities?

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The Arbors Assisted Living-Guide-Why We Chose the Arbors Assisted Living and Memory Care: A Collection of Stories from Residents Living at The ArborsWhere do you start searching for assisted living or memory care communities?

What qualities in a community should you look for? How do you know you made the right decision?


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The Arbors Assisted Living-Guide-7 Warning Signs It’s Time to Make the Move to Assisted Living
Has your dad stopped getting together for lunches or outings with friends or visits with neighbors? Have you stopped enjoying time with your parents because you’re a caregiver?

Choosing an assisted living community is a big decision. Learn how to find the right one for you and your loved one.


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Guide-Getting Your Affairs in Order
No one ever plans to be sick or disabled, and disasters, man-made or natural, can happen at any time, anywhere.

Yet older adults are among the most vulnerable during a crisis. That’s why it’s critical that seniors, and those who care for them, prepare for emergencies.


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Guide-Guide to Making the Move to Assisted Living
Moving to assisted living is a life-changing event.

This guide provides tips and ideas on downsizing, what to pack and how to make the transition smooth for your senior parent.


NOTE: Your privacy is important to us. We’ll never share your details nor spam your inbox.

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Guide-Solutions to Common Caregiving ChallengesIn this eBook, you’ll learn how to talk with family and friends about caregiving challenges, how to deal with a parent who is resistant to help, how to get more caregiving help from your siblings, and how to keep your job while caregiving.


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How Moving My Loved One to The Arbors Eliminated My Caregiving ChallengesHave you had to cut back your hours at work to care for your mom? Are you worried about administering medications or injections?

Have you stopped getting together with friends, either because you don’t have the time or you’re too exhausted? Are you becoming the invisible second patient?


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Guide-When is the Right Time for Memory Care?In this guide, you’ll learn about the difference between Alzheimer’s and dementia, including the early symptoms of dementia; the seven stages of dementia and the symptoms that typically accompany each one; and the signs it’s time to start exploring your memory care options.


NOTE: Your privacy is important to us. We’ll never share your details nor spam your inbox.

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Guide-What to Look for in a Memory Care CommunityIn this guide, you’ll learn about the difference between assisted living and memory care, how healthcare professionals are trained in dementia care, common features of a memory care community, and questions you should ask when exploring your memory care options.


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Guide-Brothers and Sisters
Navigating adult sibling relationships can be a challenge, but coming together for the sake of your parent is important.

In this guide, you’ll learn about common sibling conflicts that arise when caring for parents, strategies for getting siblings on board, and where to turn to for help.


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Guide-The StandoffAssisted living can be a touchy subject. No matter how you approach it, your parent is likely to have objections to something.

As you help them transition to a new stage of life, it helps to be prepared with answers to their questions and concerns.


NOTE: Your privacy is important to us. We’ll never share your details nor spam your inbox.

Instant Access to Free Guide

 

Guide-11 Most Common Caregiving Challenges
A Guide to the Most Common Family Caregiver Challenges Associated with Caring for an Aging Parent.

You’ll learn about the true costs of being a family caregiver, common family conflicts that can occur when caring for parents, and some of the unexpected challenges of caregiving.


NOTE: Your privacy is important to us. We’ll never share your details nor spam your inbox.

Instant Access to Free Guide

 

Guide-Checklist_ Questions to Ask When Touring an Assisted Living Community
This checklist will help to make sure you are getting the most out of your visit to The Arbors.

The list details what important questions to ask during your visit so you are able to make an enlightened choice and find the best assisted living community for your needs.

NOTE: Your privacy is important to us. We’ll never share your details nor spam your inbox.

Instant Access to Free Guide

 

Guide-What is Assisted Living Really LikeIf you’re unsure what Assisted Living looks like in real life, whether there is a difference with nursing homes or a desire to see how community life unfolds, then this guide is exactly what you need.

A guide to discover the Care Team and a Typical Day in Assisted Living.

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You’re probably wondering how much the different senior living options compare to your current situation.
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