Assisted living facilities are an option for seniors who require minimal assistance with daily living and do not need 24-hour care or supervision. They are not regulated on the federal level, but each state has its own rules for assisted living facilities. Residents enjoy a safe, homelike atmosphere that encourages maintenance of as much of their independence as possible.
According to the Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA), an assisted living residence may have 20 to 120 living units of varying sizes. The units may be a single room or a full apartment. Residents have 24-hour access to supportive services such as personal care assistance, housekeeping, laundry service, assistance with medications and structured activity programs.
Assisted living facilities are not for an individual who:
- Has a medical condition that requires 24-hr medical or nursing care
- Needs assistance to walk, transfer or go up and down stairs
- Is in relatively good health and disease-free
- Is a danger to himself or others
- Is incapable of participating in developing a service plan
According to a recent Cost of Care Survey conducted by Gemworth Financial, the median cost of assisted living in the U.S. is $3,500 per month. The costs state-wide can range from $750 to $10,412 per month. The monthly rent may cover all services provided, or a resident would have to pay extra for services not covered by the monthly rent on a per-use basis.
For more information on assisted living facilities, contact your local Area on Aging or visit the ALFA’s website.
