Have you noticed the rise of Assisted living facilities in the US, and wondered what they are? Assisted Living Community is a program designed for older people to live independently in a home-like setting with all necessary support and help with activities of daily living. Learn how you can benefit from this service for your elders in this article.
What is ALC and what services do they provide?
Assisted Living Communities (ALC) is a program designed for older adults who want to live independently in a home-like setting but need non-medical assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) including bathing, dressing, eating, maintaining good hygiene, and toilet needs. The person in assisted living pays monthly rent for a private apartment or room and an additional fee depending on the level of care needed.
Residents who have access to shared communal areas depending on the community, are often offered basic needs like daily meals and activities, and those who have luxury accommodations and amenities, have access to facilities such as spas and bars.
ALC is equipped with 24-hour on-site staff who provide 3 prepared meals a day, in addition to housekeeping and some transportation services.
Services provided by the ALC
Most ALCs charge a basic monthly rent for the resident’s apartment or room. The resident may need to pay additional fees for the help they get in daily living activities, mobility, or other services. Depending on the community’s pricing model, the following services are included:
- Private living quarters: This is the most basic service they provide to get you a basic studio or room, even a one-bedroom or two-bedroom apartment with a kitchenette, a sink, and a microwave. Some ALCs also offer more spacious apartments than others and include a greater number of amenities for a higher amount of rent than other communities with more limited space and services.
- Home maintenance, repairs, and landscaping: If any appliances of the house get broken or are not working properly, they take care of the repairs. Landscaping services are also included as well.
- An emergency medical alert system: Many assisted living apartments and studios also offer an emergency medical alert system to connect with staff or 911 immediately in emergencies.
- Nutritious daily meals: Most ALCs include up to 3 meals a day at the price of the resident’s rent. Residents may also have access to snacks in the dining area throughout the day and night.
- Laundry and housekeeping services: Some ALCs also offer a helping hand in services like laundry and housekeeping services.
- Scheduled transportation: Many ALCs offer free scheduled transportation to doctor’s appointments, along with trips to the family, relatives, friends, grocery store, pharmacy, and other essential errand locations.
- Activities and outlines: Many ALCs also offer activities to keep the older adults engaged and enjoy their lives such as educational, cultural, and religious events and services, trips to plays or concerts, guest speakers, and other opportunities for residents to socialize and enjoy mental stimulation.
- Classes: ALCs may offer classes for fitness, yoga, and other forms of physical exercise to keep them active and healthy. Residents also take classes on painting, writing, technology, home safety, or other topics.
Additionally, some assisted living also provide the following services for an additional fee:
- Help with activities of daily living: Residents have to pay a fee on top of rent-based level care for the help they need for activities of daily living (ADLs) independently, such as eating, bathing, using the toilet, or organizing and keeping track of medication schedules.
- On-site healthcare or pharmacy access: If an assisted living facility provides on-site doctor and or pharmacy help, they may charge an extra facility fee for these services.
- Beauty shop and barber services: some ALCs provide beauty parlors and barber services to ensure that residents think positively about their looks.
- Upgraded Wi-Fi services: Assisted living rent may also include basic Wi-Fi services for your entertainment, but if you need a faster connection, you just need to ask the provider of your choice.
Stats and figures on ALC
Currently, approximately 30,600 ALCs are functional in the United States, with nearly 1.2 million licensed beds. The average size of an assisted living community is 39 licensed beds.
According to regional distribution, the percentage distribution of ALCs based on location includes:
- 6% Northeast
- 0% South
- 8% West
- 6% Mideast
ALC ownership is also divided into an organization or independently owned. According to the reports, 56% of ALC’s services are owned by two or more communities, and 42% are independently owned. Around 811,500 residents nationwide (71% women, 29% men), and more than half the residents are 85 years and older use this service.
While 76% of residents living in an assisted living community moved there from their own home or apartment or agreed to live in a family residence, some seniors are moved to a community setting after their hospital stay or from a rehabilitation facility. Some seniors made the move because their children could no longer want or be able to assist them. The majority of residents (around 35%) stay in assisted living for a year or longer while 16% will stay for 3 years or more.
ALCs services help to promote independence among residents while giving them the chance to stay socially active with different programs such as the American Senior Communities THRIVE Wellness program. These communities are designed to ease the burden of family caregivers, who may experience stress, burnout, and financial strain. Residents can also enjoy their life while getting access to nursing care or rehabilitative care when they need it, and family members get provided peace of mind for the loved ones they care for. Stats of Assisted living in the US also show positive results about using these services.
So, what are you waiting for? If you are looking for Senior care services, contact us to learn about the plans and services we offer. If you want to know more about adult day care services, the professionals at HouseCalls Home Care are excellent resources for learning more about how to care for your aging loved ones. A person with a chronic illness can benefit from better continuity and coordination of treatment by enrolling in a managed long-term care program. Reach out today to learn more about how we can help you enhance your golden years. Feel free to call HouseCalls Home Care at 718-922-9200 if you or a loved one requires kind and competent in-home care services. Our goal is to assist you in locating the best support for your needs. You can also send an email to us at info@housecallshc.org for more information.
