Can Residents Come and Go Freely in Assisted Living?

Yes, residents can come and go freely in assisted living. Facilities provide help with daily living activities while encouraging senior independence. Exceptions apply to individuals subject to guardianship orders, and residents must follow individual community policies related to leaving the facility.

Older adults who can no longer make sound decisions in their best interests may need guardianship. Although rules vary between states, court-ordered guardianship allows another person — usually a loved one or an official Public Guardian — to take responsibility for a senior’s well-being. If an assisted living resident has a guardian, they need approval to leave the community.

While policies differ between assisted living communities, most have strict requirements for residents wishing to go in and out. For health and safety reasons, seniors must inform staff members if they leave the facility, commonly through a streamlined signing out and in process. This applies whether an individual leaves for a few hours of independent shopping, a day with their family or a multi day vacation.

Policies safeguard the comfort and safety of all residents, so most communities lock their doors overnight. Some facilities allow around-the-clock access with keypad entries or security staff, but others have curfews or out-of-hours admittance procedures. Residents wishing to go out must carefully check their community’s rules.

Extended absences from assisted living facilities might affect an individual’s public funding entitlement. Medicaid rules vary between states, but most programs allow short-term stays outside an assisted living facility, such as hospitalizations and overnight family visits. However, long periods of nonresidence, especially when frequent and for nonmedical reasons, can disqualify an individual from financial assistance. Self-paying assisted living residents must still cover their regular costs while away.