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What Medical Needs Qualify for Assisted Living?
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
Medical needs that qualify for assisted living typically involve assistance with activities of daily living but also include mobility limitations, cognitive impairment and age-related frailty. The skills and experience of facility staff determine whether the community can adequately address a resident’s medical needs. However, because many facilities partner with qualified medical professionals, they often accept residents with more extensive needs.
The Basics of Medical Needs
Assisted living facilities cater to individuals who require assistance with various aspects of daily living due to physical, cognitive or medical challenges. Residents typically have limited mobility resulting from arthritis or a stroke, cognitive impairment associated with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia, chronic illnesses and age-related frailty impacting overall health and well-being. Assisted living best supports those with early forms of dementia; individuals in more advanced stages often move into memory care units.
Assessment of a potential resident’s medical needs occurs as part of the admission process in assisted living facilities. Health care professionals evaluate the individual’s health status, functional abilities and care requirements to determine eligibility and develop personalized care plans. These plans then outline the specific services and support needed to effectively address the resident’s medical needs.Functional Limitations and Associated Care in Assisted Living
Assisted living residents often have a range of medical conditions impacting their ability to live independently. Some of these include:
- Parkinson’s disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Incontinence
- Arthritis
- Vision or hearing loss
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Thyroid disease
- Osteoporosis
Any condition or circumstance that limits an individual’s ability to function independently and perform activities of daily living qualifies them for the support available in assisted living. Care plans address these specific needs while promoting independence and dignity for residents. After admission, assisted living provides a comprehensive level of support to enhance residents’ overall well-being. Collaboration between healthcare professionals, caregivers, residents and families ensure medical needs receive the appropriate care, enabling residents to thrive in a supportive and nurturing environment.