Assisted Living Care: What to Expect
Looking at nursing home/care options for a dependent senior can be daunting, frustrating and confusing for family caregivers. What typically puzzles family caregivers the most is the different levels of care and the vast number of senior's housing options available. Before proceeding further, it could be helpful to think of this task as being similar to climbing a ladder; the first rung is independent living, the second rung is assisted living and the third (and final) rung is full/continuing/long-term care.
When it comes to "assisted living", there can be a great deal of grey area involved; this can easily lead to family caregivers misunderstanding the facts. Just what can one expect in the way of care services here?
An assisted living care home/facility is typically the second step for dependent adults. Transferring an adult into assisted living may require a doctor's referral depending upon the jurisdiction you live. As individuals and health cases vary dramatically, there are neither set rules nor schedules for moving your parent(s). With assisted living facilities, residents will remain mostly independent, cognitively aware and physically functioning. Family caregivers can still easily interact with the senior who will still be alert and mobile. Care staff will be available when and where necessary. A resident may need medications administered, monitoring while taking a bath or assistance with getting dressed in the morning. These jobs can be done by a professionally-trained staff member. Additional services can be provided on a casual basis; a physician may be on call or drop in to visit residents only on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Please note that there also may be an additional cost incurred for these additional services.
My father progressed through these three stages of care. With his early Alzheimer's disease, he could function quite well and thrived in a senior's home where he and my mother lived quite independently. Here, Mom and Dad lived in their own separate apartment. Meals were prepared, housekeeping and laundry were available and social activities were scheduled for the enjoyment of the residents. Following my mother's death, it became necessary for my family to transfer Dad into assisted care. In this case, Dad shared a specialized home with a group of other seniors suffering from various types of dementia. I well remember this home as being warm, supportive and very home-like, as is the case with many other assisted living properties.
What is most important for family caregivers to know and understand is that assisted living is often only temporary. It is a stepping stone towards that third (and final) rung of the ladder - long-term care. As Dad's Alzheimer's disease worsened, he became needier; he simply outgrew assisted care and had to move on.
If you remain confused about the differences between independent living, assisted living and long-term care, please read more about the subject and/or consult with your family physician so as to choose what is most appropriate for your parent.
Rick Lauber is the author of Caregiver's Guide for Canadians: http://www.self-counsel.com/default/caregiver-s-guide-for-canadians.html. As a former caregiver, Lauber shares his own experiences and lessons learned.
