Assisted living facilities bridge the gap between living at home and a nursing home. Assisted living facilities provide help with activities of daily living (ADL's), coordinate services by outside health care providers and monitoring of resident activities. It also may include the administration or supervision of medication or personal care services. Assisted living facilities are state licensed and regulated.
Assisted living facilities range from a small residential house for 3 residents to facilities with hundreds of residents. Assisted living falls somewhere in between an independent living community and a skilled nursing facility. The rooms are usually small apartments with a bathroom and a small kitchen. A semi-private room is the same set up but the bathroom is shared. There are common areas for socializing, a dining room and a central kitchen.
Statistically residents usually need help with 3 activities of daily living (ADL). They have 3 meals a day prepared for them. The facility may assist in arranging medical, dental and health services for their residents. Residents who have special needs are generally catered to. If they have periods of illness, injury or recuperation from surgery they are often allowed to stay in the residence if the proper attention can be administered. Many assisted living facilities aid to those suffering from Alzheimer's or Dementia. They are also designed with wheelchair and walker access. Assisted living facilities also offer different activities to the residents to avoid feelings of loneliness.
(Source: Wikipedia.org)
