Assisted Living: a guide for families
Assisted living is residential housing with help for everyday tasks such as bathing, dressing and meals. This guide explains what it usually includes, how to compare communities, and questions worth asking on a visit.
General information only. This guide is not medical, legal or financial advice. Talk with a physician, and with an elder-law or financial professional where money or legal papers are involved, about your own situation.
What assisted living is
Assisted living combines a place to live with support for daily activities. Residents usually have their own room or apartment and share dining and activity spaces. The care offered is mostly non-medical, and what a community includes depends on the community and the state.
- A private or shared room or apartment
- Meals, housekeeping and activities
- Help with tasks such as bathing, dressing and managing medicines (ask which are included)
- Staff on site at all hours in some communities (ask how many, and what they can do)
Signs families often discuss
Families often begin looking when daily tasks at home become hard to manage safely, or when the person who helps is stretched thin. A doctor who knows the person can help you weigh the options.
- Difficulty with bathing, dressing, cooking or housekeeping
- Missed medicines or meals
- Falls, or worry about falling
- Loneliness or little contact with other people
- A family caregiver who is worn out
Questions to ask when you visit
Visit more than once and at different times, such as a mealtime. Write down the answers so you can compare communities later.
- Which services are included in the monthly fee, and which cost extra? Ask for it in writing.
- How is a resident's need for help assessed, and how often is it reviewed?
- How many staff are on duty during the day and overnight?
- What happens if a resident needs more care than the community provides?
- How does the community handle medicines, falls and emergencies?
- Can I see the latest state inspection or licensing record?
How to compare communities
Cost and licensing differ by state and by community, and this guide does not quote prices. Ask each community for its fee schedule in writing, and look up your state's licensing agency to see what rules apply.
Frequently asked questions
Assisted living gives residents help with everyday tasks such as bathing, dressing and meals, in a residential setting. Nursing homes provide a higher level of medical care than most assisted living communities. What each offers varies by state and by community, so ask what a community can and cannot provide.
Medicare generally does not pay for long-term custodial care, which is help with daily tasks. Medicaid and long-term care insurance may help in some cases; Medicaid rules differ from state to state.
Rules for assisted living vary by state, and names for it differ. Your state's licensing agency can tell you what a community must meet.
Ask the community in writing. Many communities describe the circumstances in which a resident would be asked to move to a setting with more care, and it is better to know before you sign.
Sources
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