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Do Assisted Living Facilities Accept People With Mental Illness?
Date Updated: July 26, 2024
Written by:
Rachel Lustbader is a writer and editor with a background in healthcare and technology. Her work has been published on websites including HealthCare.com, BiteSizeBio.com, BetterHelp.com, Caring.com, and PayingforSeniorCare.com. She studied health science and public health at Boston University.
Both of Rachel’s grandmothers had very positive experiences in senior living communities, and Rachel saw firsthand the impact that kind, committed caregivers and community managers can have on seniors’ and their family members’ lives. With her work at Caring, Rachel hopes to help other families find communities, caregivers, and at-home products that benefit elderly loved ones and make life less stressful for family caregivers
Assisted living facilities may accept people with mental illness, depending on the severity of symptoms and whether they have the resources needed to provide proper care. Some communities offer on-site mental health care, including therapy, or can coordinate services with off-site providers. They may also offer medication management services to ensure residents take medications as prescribed.
However, assisted living may not be the best option for seniors with mental illness who struggle with social settings. In-home care or home health care may better serve their needs. Communities conduct behavioral assessments to gauge compatibility.
Can assisted living improve mental health issues?
Assisted living can improve mental health by providing a social setting where seniors connect with peers who are close in age and share similar interests. These communities also help older adults maintain a consistent routine, with regular mealtimes and structured activities designed to improve mental health, including exercise, art and social clubs or classes.
Additionally, assisted living offers services such as daily meals, housekeeping and personal care assistance. These benefit seniors with mental health issues who struggle to maintain nutrition and personal hygiene, potentially boosting quality of life and overall well-being.
What to look for when seeking assisted living for a person with mental illness
Look for assisted living communities that offer psychiatric resources or have staff trained in caring for people with mental illness. A community that isn’t equipped to manage mental illness may provide a reduced quality of care to the affected person, which may worsen their condition.
At communities you’re considering, ask about their experience treating mental health and whether they offer on-site psychiatric care or outsource to local providers for medications and psychological services. You can also check if they’ve previously cared for someone with your loved one’s condition and how they managed symptoms to ensure their practices align with your needs.
What mental health issues do assisted living communities commonly see?
According to the World Health Organization, depression and anxiety are the most common mental health conditions in older adults. Seniors are more likely to experience certain adverse life events, including death of loved ones, reduced sense of purpose from retirement or increased loneliness and social isolation, which contribute to anxious or depressed feelings.
Older adults also have a high risk of developing Alzheimer’s or dementia. Although these are neurological conditions, they can cause psychological symptoms, including depression, anxiety, paranoia or personality changes. Memory care communities can better manage these conditions, but assisted living facilities accept seniors in earlier stages, especially if they have specialized memory care units.