There are times when an older adult needs more assistance than can be provided in the home when it comes to personal care. In many cases, however, the older person still may not need the round-the-clock skilled nursing and medical care that a nursing home provides. In that case, an assisted living arrangement might be an option to consider in order to protect the older person’s independence and privacy for as long as possible.
Assisted living facilities (ALFs) have many names, including “adult care facilities” or “residential care facilities, and “board & care”. ALFs are licensed by state governments through the Department of Social Services. Since ALFs are not licensed by the federal government, the services provided, and quality controls vary by state. Even though ALFs offer a social model of care (not a medical one), they provide residents with a support staff and meals, as well as assistance with activities of daily living such as medication management, dressing and bathing. Some board & cares even provide activities; games, chair exercises, arts & crafts, mobile beauty salon services, etc.
Older adults have a variety of choices in ALFs, ranging from smaller, home-like environments, to larger, fancier accommodations that include beauty salons and exercise rooms. This wide range in types of ALFs allows people to choose a home that best suits their needs, tastes, and financial situation. Some ALFs offer private rooms or apartments. Special care units that focus on Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia are also becoming more common.
ALFs are required to provide a variety of services, including:
- 24-Hour staffing to meet the scheduled and unscheduled needs of residents (Note: This does not mean that skilled nursing must be available 24 hours a day.)
- Social services
- Housekeeping and laundry
- Recreation and meals
- Help with activities of daily living (ADLs)
- Health-related services (e.g., help with medication management)
- Transportation
