2159 McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater, FL 33759 (727) 669-5014
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Assisted Living offers the best of both worlds for the elderly who need ongoing help with personal care and typical daily activities yet who wish to retain their independence to the fullest extent that they can. Assisted Living should be a middle ground between independent living and nursing homes. Assisted Living Facilities aim to foster as much autonomy as the resident needs. As the Baby Boomers enter their retirement years, it's inevitable that some of these elders, who may once have headed companies or traveled the globe, might start to need assistance with day-to-day activities. But they are understandably reluctant to forfeit their independence. Someone accustomed to managing a business (or a family) can have a difficult time acknowledging that they forget to take their medication, or need help getting bathed and dressed. Because they do not need daily medical care at this point, Assisted Living can be a good housing option. What is an Assisted Living Facility? An Assisted Living Facility provides care for the elderly who need some help with activities of daily living yet wish to remain as independent as possible. A middle ground between independent living and nursing homes, Assisted Living Facilities aim to foster as much autonomy as the resident is capable of. Most facilities offer 24-hour supervision and an array of support services, with more privacy, space, and dignity than many nursing homes—at a lower cost. There are approximately 33,000 Assisted Living Facilities operating in the U.S. today. The number of residents living in a facility can range from several to 300, with the most common size being between 25 and 120 individuals.
An Assisted Living Facility helps the elderly with personal care (also called custodial care), such as:
Daily contact with supervisory staff is the defining characteristic of an Assisted Living Facility. Medical care is limited in an Assisted Living Facility, but it may be possible to contract for some medical needs.
How does Assisted Living for the elderly differ from a Board and Care Home, Nursing Home, or Congregate Housing? Assisted Living Facilities offer help with activities of daily living (personal or custodial care), but no or very little medical care. Board and Care Homes and Congregate Housing have been around for many decades, and offer about the same services as an Assisted Living Facility. Many Board and Care homes are set up to serve just two to six residents in a converted single family home though some are converted apartments; but Congregate Housing and Assisted Living Facilities generally serve larger numbers of residents. Congregate Housing was originally government subsidized housing, but nowadays various types of elderly communities call themselves “congregate housing.” In recent decades, as more and more Assisted Living facilities have been created with different combinations of services, the differences between Board and Care, Congregate Housing, and Assisted Living have become blurred to the point that all three are often considered varieties of Assisted Living. An Assisted Living Facility differs from a Nursing Home in that:
A nursing home is set up for people who need skilled medical professionals providing them care and services on a daily basis. Who is an appropriate candidate for Assisted Living? It's estimated that one million Americans currently live in Assisted Living Facilities. Assisted Living residents can be young or old, affluent or low income, frail or disabled. A typical resident is a widowed or single woman in her eighties. Residents may suffer from memory disorders, or simply need help with mobility, incontinence or other challenges. Assisted Living is appropriate for anyone who can no longer manage to live on their own but doesn't require medical care. Assisted Living Facility residents may need help with activities of daily living, including:
If an elderly person needs a number of services, an Assisted Living Facility may become a more economical alternative to home care services. An Assisted Living Facility is often the first stop for an elder who needs to get help with daily living. Some residents move on to a Nursing Home; others may come to Assisted Living from a Nursing Home or hospital after a period of rehabilitation. What types of Assisted Living Facilities are available? While Assisted Living Facilities are residential in character, there is no standard blueprint because consumers' preferences and needs vary so greatly. Assisted Living residences can range from a high-rise apartment constructed as an Assisted Living Facility, to a converted Victorian home, to a renovated school. They can be free standing or housed with other options, such as independent living or nursing care. They may be studio apartments, or one-bedroom apartments with scaled-down kitchens. An Assisted Living complex will typically be built with 25 to 110 units, varying in size from one room to a full apartment. This larger type of Assisted Living Facility may have a group dining area and common areas for social and recreational activities. What services does an Assisted Living Facility provide? The basic services an Assisted Living Facility provides include:
In addition, some facilities offer:
An Assisted Living Facility may also arrange for residents to receive senior services in the community, such as adult day care, shopping and recreation, and may provide social work assistance to coordinate these services. Can Assisted Living Facilities for the elderly meet special needs? Some Assisted Living Facilities can handle special needs, such as:
What should I look for in an Assisted Living Facility? The resources section offers several comprehensive checklists to use when visiting different Assisted Living Facilities. In general, keep these points in mind: 1) Living area and accommodations:
2) Personal care/services:
3) Licensing and costs:
What does an Assisted Living Facility cost? Assisted Living Facilities are owned and operated by both for-profit and non-profit organizations and can range in cost from $800 to $4,000 a month or more, depending on where you live. Fees may be inclusive or there may be additional charges for special services. Costs are generally lower than for home health services or nursing home care. Frequently Asked Questions If you want to know more about our facility, please call to talk to one of our friendly team members. You can also review this list of questions that are most frequently asked. These will help you learn more about our facility and what to expect when you arrive. Send a Greeting To send a greeting to one of our residents. You may either send a card in the mail or you may simply type a message and through email, we will send a note to your friend or loved one currently residing in our facility. Financial Information & Rates To find out more information about our rates and the type of insurance we accept, and for specific questions, please call our facility and ask to speak with the Business Office Administration. Choosing a Facility Choosing a facility for yourself or your loved one can be quite a challenge. The best choice is always to visit the facility and speak with our administrator. In our facility you can ask to stay for a month or two as trial months and you are not obligated to make a permanent commitment as we go by month to month.
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