What is Assisted Living
By: Scott Marshall
Updated: October 3, 2012
1. What is assisted living? Who would benefit from assisted living?
Assisted living provides help to someone with their activities of daily living - such as meal preparation, housekeeping and laundry. It also can help with administration of medications, bathing and dressing, cueing and direction.
In could be someone who has suffered from a stroke and loss the use of an arm...maybe someone who needs help in managing and keeping their diabetes under control or simply a person that wants to know if they need help all they have to do is push a button 24 hours a day and someone will be there.
2. What type of living space is usually provided?
Most facilities offer private studios or rooms and one to two bedroom apartments. Meals are generally served in a dining hall and there are usually common areas like living rooms, fitness centers, activity centers for the residents to socialize in and utilize.
3. What is a typical day in an assisted living?
A typical day is going to begin, of course with breakfast being served. There may be an exercise class, Bible study, or a craft activity scheduled mid-morning or after lunch. Some days there are outside activities- like going to a museum or botanical garden. Of course in addition to activities there are medications being administered, residents are being transported to their medical appointments, assistance is being provided to someone with bathing or dressing. A typical day is usually very busy!
3. What is "Level II" mean?
Level II means a higher level of service is provided. A registered nurse is either on staff or on call. Not only can medications be assisted with - they can be administered. Items such as catheters, oxygen tanks, wound care - can all be taken care of.
Assisted living provides help to someone with their activities of daily living - such as meal preparation, housekeeping and laundry. It also can help with administration of medications, bathing and dressing, cueing and direction.
In could be someone who has suffered from a stroke and loss the use of an arm...maybe someone who needs help in managing and keeping their diabetes under control or simply a person that wants to know if they need help all they have to do is push a button 24 hours a day and someone will be there.
2. What type of living space is usually provided?
Most facilities offer private studios or rooms and one to two bedroom apartments. Meals are generally served in a dining hall and there are usually common areas like living rooms, fitness centers, activity centers for the residents to socialize in and utilize.
3. What is a typical day in an assisted living?
A typical day is going to begin, of course with breakfast being served. There may be an exercise class, Bible study, or a craft activity scheduled mid-morning or after lunch. Some days there are outside activities- like going to a museum or botanical garden. Of course in addition to activities there are medications being administered, residents are being transported to their medical appointments, assistance is being provided to someone with bathing or dressing. A typical day is usually very busy!
3. What is "Level II" mean?
Level II means a higher level of service is provided. A registered nurse is either on staff or on call. Not only can medications be assisted with - they can be administered. Items such as catheters, oxygen tanks, wound care - can all be taken care of.
