STORIES ON HEALTH

< Back to main Stories on Health page

What Is Assisted Living?

A Message from Carolyn Muse Grant, Executive Director Assisted Living Association

More and more Americans are living longer lives. While the population of older Americans is expected to burgeon in the next 30 years, so also is seniors' interest in remaining independent and healthy as long as possible. A tremendous wave of seniors nationwide is choosing assisted living to retain their independence and physically active lives. Although the median age of the typical assisted living resident is around 75-80, most of the men and women remain extremely independent and are staying involved in church groups, literary clubs, games, and more.

So what is assisted living? The Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA) defines an assisted living residence as a special combination of housing, personalized supportive services and health care designed to meet the needs both scheduled and unscheduled of those who require help with activities of daily living.

Assisted living provides its residents a viable alternative to skilled nursing care. Many times seniors are relegated to the institutional environment and care in nursing homes, when all they require is assistance with their daily living activities. They do not need to be in an intense medical environment. This is often times detrimental to their spirit  when they know they don't need to be there and are negatively affected by their surroundings. Before assisted living, many seniors were placed in nursing homes simply because they couldn't remember to take their meds, or didn't eat properly, or any number of simple things that might make them ill, but which did not mean they were ill. Assisted living provides alternatives.

ADL's Activities of Daily Living things most of us take for granted. Such as dressing, transferring, medication, room cleaning, and meals, just to name a few. In Nevada we are lucky to have a very diverse range of properties offering these services anywhere from the small provider, offering 5 to 10 beds in a residential setting up to larger properties with upwards of 100 units in a hotel/ apartment building setting. Activities are plentiful ranging from exercise, crafts, movies, socials, to trips to the shopping malls, casinos, etc. These settings become the homes of their residents and they are treated as such. As much privacy, respect, and dignity as possible is afforded the residents and their families.

As size and appearance of an assisted living property vary, so does the cost. If you or a family member is considering assisted living as an alternative, do your homework visit properties, talk to residents, learn as much as you can about the property and the services it offers. The more information you have, the better choice you can make. ALFA and ALAN stress informed choice.

The Assisted Living Association of Nevada, (ALAN) is an association representing affiliate of the national organization ALFA. Our primary mission is to promote, advocate and enhance the dignity and quality of life of its residents. For more information on assisted living, call (702) 889-1673.