Fast Facts About Assisted Living
- Number of U.S. assisted living communities: 31,100
- Number of apartments: 475,500
- Number of residents: 735,000
- Average length of stay: 36 months
- Percentage of residents that receive help with three or more
ADLs: 40%
Source: National Center for Assisted Living
Featured Articles
-
Assisted Living Checklist - This checklist has the
essential questions to ask when you call or visit an assisted
living community.
- Guide
to Choosing Assisted Living - This in-depth guide
helps you decide which assisted living facility is right for you.
Use it to evaluate the services, features and policies offered by
the various communities you visit.
- Compare
Assisted Living Costs - Is it true that assisted
living costs more than living at home? This cost comparison can
help you find out what's right for your family.
- Check
Assisted Living Regulations by U.S. State - Directory
of assisted living licensing reports by state. Find regulation
standards in your state as well as inspection summaries and
violation histories.
Redefining Senior Care
A relatively new concept 25 years ago, today assisted living is
the fastest growing long-term care option for seniors. Assisted
living facilities, with their wide range of services, provide a
senior housing solution for adults who can live independently, but
also require some assistance. For many seniors, assisted living
provides just the level of care they need to flourish and triumph
in their new phase of life. After all, the golden years should be
enjoyable-and assisted living has more options than ever
before.
Assisted Living Costs
Assisted living costs vary, depending on the following
factors:
- Type of residence
- Size of apartment (studio, one or two-bedroom
apartment)
- Types of services needed
- Geographical location of the community
Many communities charge a basic rate that covers all services,
with an additional fee for special services. Most assisted living
communities charge a month-to-month rate, but there are also
long-term options available.
Typically, base rates only cover room and board and a service of
daily meals, determined by the assisted living community. Sometimes
there are entrance fees, deposits and laundry and housekeeping
fees. But because these all vary by community, it's important to
ask each community about their individual costs and services.
According to Genworth.com, the average cost for a one-bedroom
assisted living apartment in the U.S. in 2014 was $3,500 per month;
an increase of 1.19% over 2013 with a five-year annual growth of
5.71%. Studio and two-bedroom assisted living apartments varied,
accordingly.
Costs in Canada
- Alberta: average costs
were $2,798 in 2013, with prices ranging from just over $1,800 for
the least expensive bachelor to roughly $4,300 for the most
expensive two-bedroom apartment.
- British
Columbia: average costs were $2,747 in 2013, with
prices ranging from just under $1,500 for the least expensive
bachelor to over $6,000 for the most expensive two-bedroom
apartment.
- Ontario: average costs
were $3,204 in 2013, with prices ranging from roughly $1,750 for
the least expensive bachelor to just over $5,000 for the most
expensive two-bedroom apartment.
Services Offered in
Assisted Living
If you've seen one assisted living community, you've seen one
assisted living community. Each state and province has different
licensing and regulation requirements for assisted living
providers, which affects the particular services offered at that
community. For example, some assisted living facilities are
attached to, or share a campus with, a skilled nursing facility.
This means these types of communities can provide more advanced
medical care. But, in general, assisted living communities provide
basic medical monitoring as well as daily activities and care.
Activities of daily living (ADLs) include dressing, eating,
mobility, hygiene, bathing, toileting, using the telephone and
shopping.
Here are some of the basic services offered in assisted
living:
- 24-hour supervision and security
- Daily meals
- Basic housekeeping
- Laundry
- Health and exercise programs
- Social programs
- Transportation
- Access to medical services
The term "assisted living" is an industry term to describe
certain communities and/or facilities. The term "assisted living"
may or may not reflect official state or provincial requirements
concerning licensing, level of care, and/or the services that are
provided. We recommend that when considering these
communities and/or facilities you request to see their license
and/or contact your state or province's licensing authority for
clarification on license type, level of care, and/or the services
that are provided.