Assisted living is personalized care for seniors provided in a residential setting, along with activities and services to make life more enjoyable. Assisted living facilities offer nutritious meals, a wide range of social activities that cater to a variety of interests, and help with activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing and toileting. While residents may have some health problems, seniors in assisted living don’t require the 24-hour medical care that nursing homes provide.
Assisted living offers a safe environment with services and amenities that benefit residents physically, intellectually and socially, slowing cognitive decline and keeping seniors healthier and happier longer.
AMENITIES
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Assisted living communities offer stimulating activities, unique therapies, and restaurant-style dining to keep seniors social and engaged.
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Some families may struggle with the decision to consider assisted living for their loved one, but there may come a time when it’s no longer safe for a senior to live on their own. Look for signs of cognitive decline or changes in your loved one’s appearance and hygiene. Families who are caring for an aging loved one at home may find they need more help or realize this living arrangement is hurting their relationship. Or, they may reach a point when the stress of caregiving is affecting the caregiver’s health.
Beginning the discussion and search for assisted living when your loved one can be part of the decision is preferable to waiting until a crisis and moving, for example, after a hospital discharge. Read on to learn more about signs it’s time to consider assisted living and how to have conversations with your loved one about the transition.
CAREGIVER SUPPORT
How to Talk to Elderly Parents About Assisted Living
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Assisted living offers a social, active, and maintenance-free lifestyle for older adults who need some help with daily tasks. Assisted living residents receive the care they need while maintaining independence in a vibrant community that offers many opportunities to stay engaged. Typical assisted living services include transportation, housekeeping and laundry, and apartment maintenance. Since care is a primary focus, seniors can also expect help with personal care that’s tailored to their unique needs, including mobility assistance, medication management, and care coordination.
CARE OPTIONS
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CHOOSING CARE
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AMENITIES
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Assisted living is a popular care type with a growing demand. When considering your senior care options, you’ll come across several types of senior living. While other senior care types may offer similar services to assisted living, there are some important differences worth noting, including the types and levels of care offered to residents.
AGING PARENTS
Assisted Living vs. Nursing Homes: Costs, Amenities, and How to Choose
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Assisted Living vs. Independent Living: What's the Difference?
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Assisted living costs vary from one community to the next. Key factors determining elder care costs include location, community amenities, apartment size, and how much help your loved one needs. Different pricing models also affect costs. For example, while some assisted living facilities may be all-inclusive, others charge for services a la carte based on the resident’s needs.
Typically, an assisted living base fee will cover housing, utilities, meals and snacks, weekly housekeeping, transportation to doctor’s appointments, and social activities, although some outings or amenities may cost extra. Additional expenses may include help with personal care, in-unit internet service, beauty and barber services, laundry, and pet fees.
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You may feel overwhelmed with choices when it’s time to find an assisted living facility for your loved one. Ultimately, there’s no substitute for visiting a community and experiencing a typical day. Touring an assisted living facility provides opportunities to see the building, assess cleanliness, witness staff interactions with residents, try a meal, participate in activities, and talk to other residents. Most assisted living facilities also offer virtual tours if an in-person visit isn’t possible.
One strategy is to tour several communities yourself and then bring your parent to your top two choices, keeping in mind which communities are most likely to appeal to them. Once you’ve chosen a community, staff may be able to refer you to move managers and help remove the moving boxes from the room after everything is unpacked. If you’re stressed about moving day, plan ahead and consider finding expert assistance to help with this major transition.
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AGING PARENTS
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COST
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PAYMENT
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COST
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CARE OPTIONS
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Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
The score shown is the overall experience rating which is an average of the reviews submitted for those communities. The overall experience rating is a star rating that ranges from 1 being the lowest to 5 being the highest.
Below are the 51 largest cities grouped by their metropolitan area.
Top states for Assisted Living
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