The Choices Associated With Assisted Living And How Facilities Can Help

By Adriana Noton


Many older people or those living with disabilities may not have a close relative or friend that can provide daily care for them when the time comes. This is sad but true. Others have those types of loved ones but they are unable to provide the care for different reasons such as lack of the proper facilities or budget. When this realization comes it can be extremely difficult for both parties. Fortunately, assisted living facilities may provide a solution to these problems. A place where people can receive care and still remain independent and social.

There are millions of people who are in need of assisted living all over the world because they can no longer conduct activities of daily life (ADLs) on their own. This usually refers to the elderly but can also include those with disabilities. This type of care usually means that a person resides in a facility where normal daily needs such as eating, bathing, dressing and taking medications are conducted under the supervision or with the assistance of trained professionals.

Usually a typical resident in an ALF will have the need for assistance in 3 ADLs. It is a sensitive state which is somewhere in between intensive care needs and independent living. However, ALFs offer a much less confined and more social atmosphere for those who still relish this. This interaction with fellow patients and residents is most often the largest attraction for those in search of care.

By the numbers, most ALF residents are just under 87 years old and will stay in the facility for an average of 28.6 year until they are deceased. Women outnumber men in these residences by a three to one margin. Most residents are widowed while some may still have spouses and significant others still living.

One of the largest advantages is that of the social environment that these residences provide. Large common areas are available for eating with others and this helps to mitigate the loneliness many elders feel. This is a primary difference between ALFs and intensive care units where patients are kept bedridden and hooked up to monitoring devices most of or all the day.

Full meals, three times a day are prepared fresh each time by trained kitchen staff so that the residents need not worry about it themselves. The meals are served in the communal dining area where conversation and interactions can take place between the different groups of residents.

Many of the newer facilities provide the residents with many amenities that are akin to still being independent while always ensuring that trained assistance is close by. For instance, in many cases a person may be given their own apartment type living area. No special monitoring equipment such as might be present in nursing homes are needed but basic household chores are provided by the staff. Bedding changes, trash removal, laundry services and fresh meals are provided daily.

Mentally ill individuals such as those with dementia and Alzheimer's may also take advantage of the services provided by Assisted Living New York facilities. Other types of people with mental needs may also qualify for residence in ALF's as long as they do not pose a danger to themselves or others.




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