Assisted Living is a relatively new option in the Senior Market. Nursing Homes, as we know them today, improved with changes in medicare and medicaid laws during and since the 1950's . Assisted Living started even later. The term appeared in a proposal to the state of Oregon for a pilot study on new residential settings in 1985. Initially most assisted livings were non medical and only offered a minimal amount of care and the government did not have many regulations regarding them. The smaller private suite with 3 meals a day, bed changing, monitoring of medicine has become a standard. Over time homes realized that without additional services they would not be able to keep their clients in the assisted living environment for longer periods of time and soon adapted to meet the increased demand for continuum of care and individualized needs.
Having RN's or LPN's to oversee the care and/or contracted licensed services on the property became more and more standard. This allowed for additional medically licensed services to be offered to the client.
Why should I be concerned when placing my parent or loved one in an assisted living?
Each assisted living facility is designed to help in different ways and each dictates their requirements in order to maintain those standards. Is the Assisted Living you are looking at modeled on a residential, medical, dementia or nursing care Level?
Having RN's or LPN's to oversee the care and/or contracted licensed services on the property became more and more standard. This allowed for additional medically licensed services to be offered to the client.
Why should I be concerned when placing my parent or loved one in an assisted living?
Each assisted living facility is designed to help in different ways and each dictates their requirements in order to maintain those standards. Is the Assisted Living you are looking at modeled on a residential, medical, dementia or nursing care Level?
- Can your parent have incontinence and still live in the Assisted Living?
- Will someone alert them of the time for dinner?
- If my parent needs someone to come and get them for the events will someone come?
- Do other residents wander?
- Will they be in my parent's room?
- If my Mom is high functioning but needs assistance in the bathroom how quickly will you respond?
- How much assistance will you give my Mother in the bathroom?
- What constitutes additional charges?
- Do you use an inclusionary approach?
Being aware of what care options are available makes for a better decision and an easier and more successful transition for all concerned people involved.
