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Who Is Assisted Living Good For?
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
Assisted living is good for seniors who require help with everyday tasks to live safely and maintain their independence. Around 60% of adults will need some assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), household chores, preparing meals or driving at some point in their lives. Assisted living facilities provide the necessary support for those who need it.
What Services Do Assisted Living Facilities Offer?
Around 36,000 assisted living communities exist in the U.S. They range from small converted family homes with a few residents to resort-style complexes for hundreds of seniors. Most facilities offer 24/7 nonmedical personal care services that help seniors remain independent, including assistance with the following activities of daily living:
- Personal hygiene tasks, including bathing and grooming
- Dressing
- Ambulating
- Toileting and continence
- Eating
Many seniors also have access to other useful services, such as laundry and housekeeping, meal preparation and transportation. Communities organize recreational activities and events that address the physical and cognitive needs of residents, such as arts and crafts, fitness classes and brain games. In addition, residents come together to socialize with their peers during meal times, happy hours, parties and holiday celebrations.
Who Can Benefit From Assisted Living?
Assisted living is for seniors who require assistance with ADLs and those who struggle to maintain their homes. Older adults who experience loneliness and isolation can also benefit from an environment that offers companionship and opportunities for socialization.
Some signs you or a loved one should consider assisted living include:
- Increased frailty or weight loss
- A change in appearance, such as dirty clothing or noticeable body odors
- Loneliness
- Forgetting to pay utility bills
- Falling
- Lax housekeeping indicated by a cluttered home or dirty bathroom
- Inability to attend appointments or shop for groceries