Author: Alicia Centeno
Reviewed By: Catherine Braxton
To qualify for assisted living, you must be a senior who needs assistance with activities of daily living but requires minimal skilled nursing services.
The minimum age requirement is generally 60, but it varies between communities. Assisted living is a private pay-only long-term care option, so finances also factor into the decision to choose this care type.
You must need support with at least two activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, grooming, ambulation and medication management, to qualify for assisted living. Other support needs may include cooking, cleaning, continence care and transfers.
Assisted living communities have experienced caregivers on hand to help with these activities 24/7. Facilities sometimes offer on-site rehabilitation services, including physical, speech and occupational therapies.
To typically qualify, candidates must meet certain age criteria and require a degree of assistance. It’s essential that applicants are stable and maintain a level of autonomy. While facilities offer 24-hour caregiver support, residents are expected to manage their daily routines with minimal help. This balance ensures a harmonious environment where independence is valued alongside available support.
For those experiencing significant memory loss impairing their ability to care for themselves, such as in cases of Alzheimer’s and related dementias, assisted living communities may not be adequate. These individuals typically require a higher level of care found in memory care facilities.
Additionally, assisted living is not typically equipped to handle bedridden individuals, those with serious infections or those who require feeding tubes or specialized gastronomy care. Nursing homes are better suited for these individuals’ care needs.
