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Do Assisted Living Facilities Help With Toileting?
Date Updated: July 26, 2024
Written by:
Rachel Lustbader is a writer and editor with a background in healthcare and technology. Her work has been published on websites including HealthCare.com, BiteSizeBio.com, BetterHelp.com, Caring.com, and PayingforSeniorCare.com. She studied health science and public health at Boston University.
Both of Rachel’s grandmothers had very positive experiences in senior living communities, and Rachel saw firsthand the impact that kind, committed caregivers and community managers can have on seniors’ and their family members’ lives. With her work at Caring, Rachel hopes to help other families find communities, caregivers, and at-home products that benefit elderly loved ones and make life less stressful for family caregivers
Yes, assisted living facilities help with toileting. Most communities assist with activities of daily living (ADLs) — which include help using the toilet — per residents’ tailored support plans. However, regulations regarding service provision vary among states, and facilities choose whether to offer certain services. Therefore, seniors must carefully check available services when comparing assisted living communities.
Rules and Regulations Regarding Toileting in Assisted Living Facilities
Facility licensing requirements differ across the nation. For example, state regulations don’t oblige Washington’s facilities to provide help with activities of daily living. Conversely, assisted living residences in Pennsylvania must provide assistance with performing ADLs. In Delaware, communities must either provide or arrange ADL assistance.
Examples of Toileting Assistance
According to the National Center for Assisted Living, about 43% of assisted living residents require toileting assistance. However, exact support varies depending on individual needs and may include:
- Bathroom grab rails
- Raised toilet seats
- Bathroom schedules
- Reminders
- Ambulation assistance
- Transferring to and from the toilet
- Unfastening clothes
- Cleaning after using the toilet
- Changing diapers
Additionally, catheter care regulations vary nationwide. Seniors who need extensive continence management may require the more intensive services of memory care or nursing home care.