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What Services Do Most Assisted Living Facilities Provide?
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
Most assisted living facilities provide help with daily living activities, such as bathing, grooming, eating and taking medication. Additional services can include housekeeping, laundry, transportation and recreational programs, such as clubs and group outings. Life at an assisted living community offers a balance of independence and assistance when necessary, allowing seniors to remain as independent as possible.
Who Qualifies for Assisted Living
Seniors who can live semi-independently but require assistance with one or more activities of daily living qualify for assisted living care. Assisted living isn’t appropriate for seniors who require complex medical care, 24/7 monitoring or care for memory-loss disorders. On the other hand, seniors who can live entirely independently should consider independent living communities or retirement communities instead of assisted living.
Seniors can qualify for assisted living if they meet the following requirements:
- Have attained the facility’s minimum age threshold: Some facilities accept people as young as 55, while others have a minimum age requirement of 62-65.
- Have stable health: Seniors should be in relatively good health, and any chronic conditions should be well-managed.
- Require support: Assisted living is designed for seniors who require support with activities of daily living, such as bathing, walking and dressing.
- Have passed a physical and health assessment: Before moving to an assisted living community, seniors must undergo a physical and cognitive assessment and provide their medical history for staff to evaluate.
Average Costs of Assisted Living Facilities
According to Genworth’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey, the national average monthly cost for assisted living is $4,500. Genworth’s data also shows that the average cost of assisted living has increased by 4.65% since 2020. Heavily populated states tend to have higher-than-average median costs. For example, California and New Jersey have average monthly assisted living costs of $5,250 and $6,495, respectively. Some states have significantly lower average assisted living costs, such as Missouri at $3,000 per month and Georgia at $3,535. Popular retirement destinations Arizona and Florida both average $4,000 per month for assisted living.