Deciding whether assisted living care is right for your family member or loved on is a tough decision and many deal with things like uncertainty and guilt just to name a couple emotional challenges this process can bring.  I think it’s important to remember why you are considering assited living and when you get down to it, it’s really about improving the quality of your loved ones life.  There are many factors that determine whether assisted living is right for you, your family and your loved one who’s care is of concern.  Your life circumstances are as much a factor in your decision to seek out assisted living care for your loved one as are their needs, that isn’t anything to feel guilty about though many do.  Your not alone.  The first step is to learn what assisted living really is and if it is an option for your loved one.

What is Assisted Living?

Assisted living fall between independent residential living and a nursing care service facility with regard to the level of care provided.  In a typical assisted living care facility you wouldn’t find medical monitoring equipment, though you might find medical assistance items like oxygen and wheel chairs.  Assited living homes provide a community for senior care and offer the chance for friendships and activity.  Many of the newer assisted living care facilities offer an independent apartment for each resident and usually have a common area for eating and other activities.  You might find a kitchenette in each appartment of an assisted living facility as well.

Benifits of Assisted Living Care Facilities

One of the main benifits of assisted living care facilities is that they remove the isolation some seniors feel as they get older and might have slight physical ailments that prevent them from leaving the house or create a fear of leaving the house.  The common area an meal preparation is also a key benifit of assited living home in that many seniors have difficulty preparing, planning and getting the food they need.  Assisted living insures the basic elements are provided and this is very important to not only the senior who needs care but there family as well.  Assisted living care should reduce many of the common practical worries you may have about your loved one on a daily basis.

Who Is Assisted Living Care For?  Who Qualifies for Assisted Living?

These are important questions that you’ll need answered before you can make a decision regarding your loved ones long term care.  The standard to determine need of assited living care uses a process or method that looks at activities of daily living, some of which are:

• Personal hygiene and grooming (showering, brush teeth, etc)
• Dressing and undressing
• Ability to Feed Themselves
• Basic Mobility (getting out of bed, walking, basic function)
• Bowel and bladder management
• Walking without the aid of  a wheel chair or walker

These are the basic activities of daily living and while your loved one may be able to do all of these themselves (which many can) they still may benifit from assisted living care because living a quality live requires much more as you know.  These factors and more that I’ll list below will help determine if assisted living is the right choice for your loved one, but ultimately it’s  personal decision you’ll need to make upon the input of all those involved and the current condition of your loved one.

Here are some of the other instumental activities of daily life (ADLs) that will help to make the best decision for your loved one:

• Managing Money
• Taking Medications
• Ability to Drive
• Care of Others (possibly spouse)
• Care of Pets
• Shopping For Groceries and Clothing
• Using the Telephone or other Technology
• Meal Preparation and House Maintenance

Who Qualifies for Assited Living?

The average age of assisted living residents is 89.9 and female assisted living residents outnumber males 3 to 1.  Many of assisted living residens are widowed roughly 12% still have a spouse or significant other.  (Assisted Living Federation of America)

Statistically the average assisted living resident needs assistance with 3 or more ADLs or activities of daily living.  Assisted living facilities are populated with people from various levels of mobility and wellness.  Many accept residence with dementia and other mental conditions while others do not.  One of the ways people can better determine if assisted living care is a good option is by evaluating several homes and meet some of the residents.  Ask yourself if your loved one would enjoy a better quality of life in a care facility.  Many times you can talk about it with your loved one and they can participate in the decision as well.

I hope this article was informative and helpful to you and wish you all the best with your loved one.  If you enjoyed the artcile consider leaving a comment, or if you have questions feel free to ask those too.

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