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What Does Assisted Living Mean?
Date Updated: December 23, 2024
Written by:
Sarah has produced thousands of articles in diverse niches over her decade-long career as a full-time freelance writer. This includes substantial content in the fields of senior care and health care. She has experience writing about wide-ranging topics, such as types of care, care costs, funding options, state Medicaid programs and senior resources.
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Dr. Brindusa Vanta is a health care professional, researcher, and an experienced medical writer (2000+ articles published online and several medical ebooks). She received her MD degree from “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine, Romania, and her HD diploma from OCHM – Toronto, Canada.
Assisted living means seniors receive nonmedical support and recreational opportunities while living in residential communities. Caregivers provide help with everyday tasks to enable older adults to live as independently as possible and enjoy their retirement years. However, those needing intensive medical support find other settings more suitable.
Typical Assisted Living Services
Assisted living communities provide support with activities of daily living and enrichment programs in a communal setting. Common services include:
- Personalized care plans
- Help maintaining personal and oral hygiene
- Assistance with dressing, toileting and dining
- Support with moving throughout the community and transferring between a bed and chair
- Assistance with housekeeping, laundry and running errands
- Building and grounds maintenance
- Meal preparation
- Medication reminders
- Local transportation
- Activities supporting holistic well-being and catering to diverse interests
- Excursions
- Companionship
- On-site communal amenities, such as living rooms, fitness centers, gardens and media rooms
Many facilities offer a choice of accommodation, including private and shared options. Some include furnishings while others allow for full personalization. Additional services — some via third-party providers — may include:
- 24/7 staffing
- Medication administration
- Nurse-led wellness checks
- Health care coordination
- Nutritional oversight
- On-site physical, speech and occupation therapy
- Visiting dental, vision and foot care services
- On-site pharmacy and lab services
Assisted Living Versus Independent Living and Nursing Homes
Assisted living includes hands-on support with everyday activities to enable residents to live safely and comfortably. In contrast, independent living serves those with limited care needs who want to lighten their domestic load and enjoy a social lifestyle. Independent living communities generally offer domestic assistance, such as housekeeping and maintenance but no personal care services. They also usually facilitate a wide variety of staff- and resident-led recreational activities and outings. Indoor amenities may include clubhouses, gyms, mini theaters and libraries, while examples of outdoor features include dog parks, swimming pools, putting greens and barbecue areas.
Nursing homes care for seniors with medical or rehabilitative care needs, providing 24/7 skilled services in a clinical environment. Staff members have professional training and qualifications, and teams typically include nurses, certified aides, therapists and nutritionists. Nursing homes may provide long-term or transitive services.