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An assisted living residence is a long-term senior care option that provides personal care support services such as meals, medication management, bathing, dressing and transportation.
Source: National Center for Assisted Living
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 vary, depending on the following factors:
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.
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:
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.
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