Who Is Assisted Living Good For?

Assisted living is good for seniors who require help with everyday tasks to live safely and maintain their independence. Around 60% of adults will need some assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), household chores, preparing meals or driving at some point in their lives. Assisted living facilities provide the necessary support for those who need it.

Around 36,000 assisted living communities exist in the U.S. They range from small converted family homes with a few residents to resort-style complexes for hundreds of seniors. Most facilities offer 24/7 nonmedical personal care services that help seniors remain independent, including assistance with the following activities of daily living:

• Personal hygiene tasks, including bathing and grooming
• Dressing
• Ambulating
• Toileting and continence
• Eating

Many seniors also have access to other useful services, such as laundry and housekeeping, meal preparation and transportation. Communities organize recreational activities and events that address the physical and cognitive needs of residents, such as arts and crafts, fitness classes and brain games. In addition, residents come together to socialize with their peers during meal times, happy hours, parties and holiday celebrations.

Assisted living is for seniors who require assistance with ADLs and those who struggle to maintain their homes. Older adults who experience loneliness and isolation can also benefit from an environment that offers companionship and opportunities for socialization.

Some signs you or a loved one should consider assisted living include:

• Increased frailty or weight loss
• A change in appearance, such as dirty clothing or noticeable body odors
• Loneliness
• Forgetting to pay utility bills
• Falling
• Lax housekeeping indicated by a cluttered home or dirty bathroom
• Inability to attend appointments or shop for groceries