What Is an Example of Assisted Living?

An example of assisted living is a residential community where seniors receive help with daily living tasks, allowing them to maintain a sense of privacy and independence while receiving necessary support. These communities typically develop personalized assistance plans that accommodate the resident’s needs while allowing them to complete other tasks on their own, according to ability. These plans are typically reviewed frequently and adjusted as needs change.

The type of living provided depends on individual communities. Some offer private apartment-style living while others accommodate residents in private or semiprivate rooms or studios. Typically, they have community dining areas and recreational areas shared among residents. They may also be known as residential care, board and care, adult group homes or alternative care facilities.

The primary appeal of assisted living facilities is that they provide as-needed assistance with activities of daily living, such as grooming, eating, dressing, medication management and mobility. They also typically have around-the-clock staff that can be reached anytime via emergency call buttons, and staff may check in on seniors at prescribed times for additional safety. Often, access to health and medical services is easier in assisted living as well, with many assisted living communities partnering with medical providers to bring care on-site or with staff providing transportation to scheduled appointments and assisting with keeping track of care plans.

Assisted living communities tend to provide additional support to free up seniors’ time, such as scheduling housekeeping and laundry services and providing daily meals and snacks in the community dining area. They may offer several exercise and wellness programs or encourage community-sponsored events to keep seniors active and social. These communities sometimes feature varying degrees of care and support, allowing seniors to age in place, even as their needs grow.

While leaving home to enter an assisted living community can seem intimidating, many seniors can benefit from the support offered. These facilities provide a safe living space for seniors who can no longer live on their own without support. Those who can’t keep up with household chores, such as cooking and cleaning, may need the additional support that assisted living can offer. Likewise, seniors whose homes aren’t equipped for mobility issues may find that moving to assisted living offers a safer environment for them, as these facilities are often designed for people with limited mobility.

When a senior needs more support and care than they can reliably receive from friends and family, moving to a more supportive environment is often a good choice. For many seniors, it’s also easier to accept care and help from someone who’s paid to help rather than asking for support from their loved ones. Some signs that it may be time to consider moving into an assisted living community include:

• Struggling to take medication as prescribed
• Struggling with driving safely
• Incurring frequent injuries
• Struggling to get around the home safely
• Struggling with hygiene
• Withdrawing from friends and family
• No longer engaging in activities the senior enjoys
• Inability to safely use appliances
• Not eating well or regularly