"With an Assist, Many Elderly Enjoy Independence"
Senior Focus - June 1997
Assisted-living communities are helping to bridge the gap between independent living at home and the around-the-clock care provided at nursing homes.
People over 85 years of age are the fastest-growing segment of the population. In response, the assisted-living industry is booming all across the country. The communities provide a new living option for elderly people who require some level of daily assistance, but do not need the medical attention of a nursing home.
Experts at Baylor College of Medicine’s Huffington Center on Aging in Houston say assisted-living centers allow many people to enjoy a level of independence while providing them with services to make their lives easier.
Assisted-living communities range in size from single or double rooms in a private home or retirement complex to full apartments. Most provide three meals a day served in a common dining room, housekeeping and linen service and assistance with bathing and dressing. Medication management, recreational and social activities and transportation to medical care are also usually part of the support package.
One of the appeals of the assisted-living setting is that people are able to maintain individual control and privacy in their apartment or living space. Unlike in many nursing homes, residents have the freedom to decorate and furnish their rooms, making their surroundings feel more like home.
Assisted-living communities operate under various models. Many communities rely on home-health agencies to provide skilled nursing or other health-care assistance, since most only have staff for supervision and personal care. Regulation of assisted-living communities and their personnel varies from state to state, so it is important for people considering a move to a community to visit and ask questions about the staff, services and cost. A careful assessment of current and future needs is also warranted.
Relocating at any age is challenging, but assisted-living communities provide a wide variety of living options that may make the transition easier later in life.
