Assisted living facilities (ALF) are designed to help those that have difficulty caring for themselves to the extent that they can no longer live in their own home. These facilities are staffed 24 hours a day. Employees are trained to assist residents with their needs and provide supervision. A typical person living in an ALF may need help managing medication, bathing, or getting dressed. ALFs are more regulated and therefore this type of facility is more restrictive than independent living. While many are resistant at first, they wind up loving the environment. Touring ALFs with your loved one is the easiest way to prove living in an ALF is the right choice.
An important point concerning ALFs is that there are three types of licensures. An ALF can have either a standard license, a limited nursing license (LNS), or an extended congregate care license. The type of license a facility has determines the types of assistance they can provide. An ALF with a standard license cannot provide the same type or as much assistance as one with a limited nursing license. An ALF with a limited nursing license cannot provide as much assistance as one with an extended congregate care license.
Key points to remember about ALFs:
- Direct assistance to those that may need it to perform everyday tasks
- More restrictive than independent living but still an environment that promotes independence
- Different licensures allow for different levels of assistance and therefore different levels of independence
- Can be expensive. Average cost for an ALF is about $2000 a month. Some ALFs cost as much as $4300 per month. There are programs available to help those that qualify with the cost
- Trained staff available 24 hours a day
- Nurse on staff