WHAT IS AN ASSISTED LIVING?

This is a very under-used term! Most people, as they get older and are scared of losing their independence, refer to being “put in a nursing home.” Usually what they say is “I’ll die if you put me in a nursing home.”

But most older people who need help in their daily lives do not need to go to a nursing home. Many of them can manage with help in the home, either from a family member or someone paid to help. Many of them need to move in with relatives, or have a young relative move in with them. Of those that need to move to a facility for older people, about a third move into what’s called an “assisted living.” This is not as drastic and traumatic as people think it will be.

Assisted livings can be in someone’s house. These have just a few older people living in them, and are often run by a family. A small assisted living like this is called a “Board and Care”.

There are a lot of larger assisted livings (AL), some of them big chain companies. They provide either a single or a shared room or suite, meals, medication administration, activities, usually some level of nursing presence, and personal care, like assistance with dressing and bathing. They are often quite pretty and cheerful and the people who live in them come to consider them home. The residents get to keep a lot of their own belongings, like pictures, knick-knacks, bedding, clothing, books, laptops, and even some furniture. The staff get to know the residents as people and they provide a lot of social stimulation in addition to taking care of the resident’s daily needs.

Hardly anyone ever dies from being put in an assisted living! In fact, the vast majority adjust and become content. Many are even relieved not to have to take care of their own house or apartment, and they are glad to have the company, the stimulation, and the support.