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Is Assisted Living Considered Long-Term Care?
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
What is Assisted Living?
Assisted living communities provide long-term residential care to older adults who require help with certain daily tasks. Residents live in various types of single or shared accommodations, including rooms, suites and apartments. Some communities also allow pets. Common services include meals, housekeeping, dressing assistance, hygiene care and round-the-clock emergency care.
Assisted living communities usually don’t offer medical services, but they do support residents in managing their medications and getting to medical appointments. Most communities also provide wellness programs, organized social activities and various amenities such as salons and activity rooms.Understanding Long-Term Care
Long-term care refers to ongoing daily support provided at home or at a residential facility. It caters to older adults who can no longer live independently or perform some tasks without help. Facilities that offer long-term care include assisted living communities, memory care facilities and nursing homes.
Long-term care aims to assist older adults in living safely and independently. It can be arranged through home care agencies that offer access to nurses, home health care aides and various therapists. Informal caregivers, such as relatives and friends, also have the ability to provide long-term care at home.