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I was widowed at 51. I was not able to have children. I am in excellent health and own my own home. However, at 58 years old, I have decided to start preparing to sell my lovely country home and pass on most of my possessions and unnecessary furniture, ready to move into assisted living well before needed. Let me tell you a secret, it is EXCITING!!

Making the decision is key. After that you will begin to see all the possibilities that may be open to you. When once I move to assisted living in town in the next year or two, I will have extra money to spend on the things I would still like to do, and still some of the energy and ability to do them. I will also be able to give a financial gift to my dear stepdaughter, who lives abroad. I live in the absolute reality that life on this earth is finite. Do not bury your head in the sand and 'live for the day'. Be prepared, and free yourself to do all the things you would like to do, whilst able. Don't count on, expect or demand family to give up the last of their healthy years so that you don't have to make any changes at all, when you've already lived your life. Very few are happy to do this, and why should they? (p.s. my 93 year old mother is expecting us to do this for her, after 70 years of living life absolutely on her terms, but in reality her choices are at home care or an assisted living facility!!). Please consider realities and grasp your opportunities!
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Reply to SID2020
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Assisted living is just that. The residents live independently, with a little assistance as needed. It's like an apartment with a nursing staff on hand.
I'm sure it depends on the AL facility. Some may have more restrictive environments depending on the level of patient care they provide.
For instance, most memory care centers will be locked down, for the safety of their vulnerable residents, to prevent people from wandering and getting lost.
Most skilled nursing facilities also watch residents closely to prevent anyone wandering outside on their own.
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Reply to CaringWifeAZ
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Yes, if it is truly just assisted living facility.
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Reply to JanPeck123
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It could have helped us to know why you are asking this question.
Who is the person you are concerned about and what is their medical diagnosis?

(I believe) AL facilities must follow licensing board requirements to secure the safety of each resident - and security protocol should be in the contract you sign.

However, beyond this, you likely would need to speak to the administrator or department manager - about your concerns, as:

- within state/fed licensing requirements, each facility may have their own protocol, based on staff, insurance (requirements).

- When I worked with individuals in AL, - in my experience in Northern California - my clients seemed to have 'a lot of independent freedom to come and go.'
- AL units (generally/in my experience) also have a 'nursing station' monitor medical needs, provide meds - and help with getting dressed/undressed, (provide meals), and offer a multitude of other 'add on' services.

You really need to ask the department head and get everything in writing.

* I know that most / (all) facilities will not help a person who falls get up.
This is an insurance issue (to avoid (liability/) causing possible additional injuries in moving a person). They will call 911 / medical emergency and have them access / lift the person from the area they fall.

So much depends on the individual person and their needs. You need to ask and find out a facility's procedures and legal requirements.

Gena / Touch Matters
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Reply to TouchMatters
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When a person moves into an assisted living or memory care unit (at least in California) they are required to have a report from the Doctor and a TB test. The facility will assess them and consider what the doctor has to say. Unfortunately, the culture of caregiving and resident dependence in long term care facilities often creates a fair amount of paternalism, where the caregivers provide their assistance without considering the needs and wants of the care recipient. Often residents are told they can't leave because their doctor said they can't or the family member said they can't. The assisted living facilities are worried about liability if someone gets hurt while not under their "watchful" eye. However, residents have rights of freedom of movement. Unless the resident has a legal guardian or are conserved, they have rights to make decisions for themselves.
Seniors are pretty compliant and often don't question. The big facilities are generally woefully understaffed and have lousy continuity of care. They want all their residents rounded up and compliant. Be careful where you place your loved one and learn what rights they have as human beings.
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Reply to BetZee
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It all depends on your cognitive issues. If you have Dementia, you cannot leave the area that leads to the parking lot. If you are living in assisted living because you need a little help, you can hop on a Access bus or cab that accommodates wheelchairs, walkers or kanes to go out for a day and come back. The doctor in the facility will evaluate and determine if it's safe for you to come and go as you please.
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Reply to Onlychild2024
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Assisted living is just that, the resident need somekind of assistance. Really, people duffering from Dementia should not be in an assisted living but those that have early symptoms don't do well in Memory care. My Moms AL was mixed. It did have a keypad entry but the fire doors could be opened after holding handle down for 15 seconds. I got to know which ones could leave the building and which couldn't. One woman was there because of her husband and when he passed, she remained.

So, yes to your question. You can come and go.
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Reply to JoAnn29
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Yes you can come and go as you wish, as long as it is not in secured/memory care unit.
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Reply to HLJo14
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Yes, it is like your own apartment, can come and go as you wish, as long as it is not in secure/memory care unit.
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Reply to HLJo14
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Absolutely. At my brother's ALF he often left to go to drug store, to go for a walk, to go to the library across the street.
At his place, a cottage sort of a compound with beautiful grounds, if was common for elders to be out on the grounds sitting on benches, chatting. They were to sign out of their own cottage with a sign out book. In all honesty many forgot to do so.

The thing is that people are assessed for safety and the ability to keep staff informed whether they are leaving to have lunch or whatever. Some still drove their cars and would go to the Casino for afternoon, to appointments, to AA or to lunch.

You are perhaps thinking of locked facilities which are required for anyone with wandering or getting lost tendencies? Or memory care?
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Reply to AlvaDeer
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