Frequently asked questions
Please do not hesitate to reach out if your question is not answered here.
1. What is assisted living?
Assisted living communities are a popular option for seniors because they offer residents the best of two worlds. Residents enjoy having their own apartment or suite with caregivers nearby, ready to provide support when needed.
If needed, residents can receive assistance with the activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, grooming, and toileting. Many older adults who choose to move to an assisted living community also need help with medication management, another service these assisted living communities provide.
Meals, housekeeping, laundry, and transportation are all usually included in the monthly fee.
2. What is the difference between an assisted living community and a nursing home?
For many families, understanding the difference between an assisted living community and a nursing home is a little confusing. People often believe an assisted living community is just a more upscale version of a nursing home. The reality is that assisted living communities approach senior living differently as they were built with a social model in mind. And residents still have access to increasing levels of care should they need it.
Nursing homes existed long before assisted living and were born out of the need to provide round the clock medical care for older adults who could not be cared for at home. While assisted living typically has 24/7 access to nursing or medical care, the focus is on providing a socially active and engaged life for older adults who need assistance with at least two to three activities of daily living (ADLs), bathing, grooming, eating, dressing. Residents with more complicated medical needs, such as chronic wound care or complex illnesses, who live in an assisted living community often have to hire a third party medical provider for round the clock medical care. This provides care as needed, but in a socially oriented community that the resident wants.
3. How are caregivers recruited, trained and screened?
It’s a good idea to ask team members at any community that you are seriously considering for more detailed information on their staff recruiting and development process.
At Assured Care, we follow a person centered principle. We believe that when we hire for compassion and commitment and train for excellence, we are able to attract and maintain the best caregivers. Our process also includes carefully conducted background checks prior to hiring each employee, including both a criminal background check and a values assessment.
4. How much does assisted living cost?
5. Does Medicare pay or help pay for any assisted living expenses?
Unfortunately, Medicare doesn’t help finance assisted living. The Medicare program was designed to pay for the health care expenses of seniors and younger adults with long-term disabilities. Because assisted living doesn’t meet that criteria, where it doesn’t require the intervention and support of a skilled health care professional, other funding solutions must be utilized.
6. Does Assured Care allow pets?
7. Can residents decorate their apartment and bring their own furniture?
8. Are visiting hours restricted at Assured Care?
9. Will my loved one be bored at Assured Care?
Residents are anything but bored! Assured Care offers a wide range of life enrichment experiences designed to nurture the body, mind, and spirit.
When you tour an assisted living community for yourself or a loved one, make sure you schedule time to participate in an activity or two. It’s the best way to evaluate the community’s life enrichment program.