Assisted living is an ideal solution for seniors who require some additional assistance with daily tasks but still wish to live independently. Whether they have cognitive impairment or limited mobility, assisted living can keep them engaged and contented.
When selecting an assisted living facility for your loved one, the best way to determine their suitability is by visiting and speaking with administrators, staff and residents.
ADLs
Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) are essential life skills that people must master in order to live independently. Difficulties with these tasks may determine how much assistance, supervision, or hands-on care a person requires; as well as whether they’re considered “safe” to live at home or eligible for long-term care services like Medicaid.
As a family caregiver, it’s essential to note when your loved one experiences difficulty with these ADLs and IADLs so you can discuss potential solutions with their doctors. If even slight decline in performance of ADLs and IADLs occurs, it could be time for discussions about increasing support or moving them into an assisted living community.
In addition to doctors and nurses, other professionals who assess seniors’ ability to complete ADLs include geriatric social workers and rehabilitation specialists. Many state-funded non-Medicaid programs also incorporate ADL and IADL assessments as part of their application process for assistance with elder care.
Personal Care
Personal care is a comprehensive support package that seniors require as they age in place. This includes medical services and assistance with ADLs such as eating, bathing, grooming and mobility.
Personal care homes, also referred to as residential care homes or adult care homes, are licensed by their state to ensure the safety and wellbeing of their residents. Furthermore, these facilities offer daily activities and social opportunities so that individuals can lead as independent a life as possible.
However, these facilities do not qualify as assisted living facilities and cannot receive Medicaid reimbursement for personal care costs.
Assisted living communities, on the other hand, are certified by Medicare and Medicaid to offer care similar to personal care. They provide a range of dining options, recreational activities and other services so residents can live their lives in a secure yet homelike setting.
Assisted living is a more cost-effective alternative than nursing homes, allowing seniors to remain in their own homes for extended periods before moving into a skilled nursing facility. It may also benefit seniors who require more assistance than personal care but are not yet ready for full nursing home care.
Health Care
Seniors requiring a higher level of care may opt to move into a nursing home or continuing-care retirement community (CCRC). In these facilities, medical attention is available 24/7.
Skilled nursing homes are licensed by Medicare and Medicaid to serve residents who require a higher level of healthcare. They also provide rehabilitative services like physical, occupational, and respiratory therapy.
Assisted living communities are the fastest-growing segment of post-acute and long-term care. They offer housing, support services, medical attention – often in a setting more akin to a nursing home than a small hospital.
New York’s Assisted Living Program is a state program that offers assistance with housing and personal care to those eligible for Medicare or Social Security (SSI) benefits. A person’s placement on the waitlist for this program depends on their level of need for care.
Activities of Daily Living
Assisted living facilities provide assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), which are the basic self-care tasks that enable individuals to lead an independent lifestyle. These include bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring and eating.
With age and health problems, seniors often become less capable of performing daily activities. By understanding ADLs and how they relate to long-term care needs, you can determine if your loved one requires additional assistance than usual.
Senior care providers use ADLs to assess a person’s functional status. Activities are usually assessed using an Index of Independence and Barthel Index to determine whether seniors can perform tasks independently or require assistance.
Some of the basic activities of daily living (ADLs) may include preparing meals, cleaning the kitchen and washing clothes. Others are more complex, involving shopping, managing finances, using the telephone, managing healthcare and medication needs, transportation needs and coordinating caregivers.