Assisted Living

What are Assisted Living Communities?

Assisted Living Communities are residential housing for seniors that maximizes an individual’s ability to live independently and provide a lower level of assistance than what would be found at a skilled nursing facility. Services include 24-hour on-call assistance and help with personal and home care such as bathing, dressing, medication administration, meals, and housekeeping. Some of these facilities provide specific Alzheimer’s disease or Memory Care services. Assisted Living Communities provide all meals in a common dining area. They offer many social activities, outings, entertainment, and transportation to and from medical appointments and shopping. Assisted Living apartments usually have a kitchenette with a sink and a refrigerator. Some allow microwave ovens and toasters, depending on their policies. Apartments styles range from studios to 2-bedroom, 2 bath apartments.

Monthly rates usually vary between $2600-$6000 a month, depending on apartment size and amenities, with an average base rate of about $3500 a month. This rate includes utilities (although usually not a personal phone line), meals, housekeeping, activities, and transportation. In addition to the base rate, there are charges for assistance with ADLs (Activities of Daily Living, such as help with showering, dressing, eating, medication administration, transfers, and toileting). Some Assisted Living Communities charge for these ADLs on a point system, or ala carte, depending on what specific extra services are needed. Other communities have “levels of care,” which combine several services into each level of care. Each higher-level means a higher overall cost. It’s essential to weigh the total apartment plus care costs of two communities against each other, so you’re comparing apples to apples – and not apples to oranges.

Assisted Living Communities always have a busy activity calendar with trips to local restaurants and attractions, games, entertainment, movie nights, book clubs, and many other activities.

Right Fit Senior Living Solutions works with most Assisted Living Communities and will help you find just the Right Fit to call home.