Assisted Living is a customized combination of housing, hospitality and personal care services designed to meet the needs both scheduled and unscheduled of those who need help with activities of daily living.
Independent Living is a residential option for seniors who want to enjoy the benefits of living safely in a community environment while still enjoying the privacy of an independent apartment. Independent living offers the following amenities and services: restaurant-style dining, resident programs, regular housekeeping and linen services, all maintenance services, 24-hour emergency call service, and transportation. Normally, Independent Living communities are rental communities with monthly fees.
Continuing care retirement communities (CCRC's) offer a continuum of service levels beginning with age-restricted cottages or townhouses, and continuing through Independent Living, Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing. CCRCs offer access to meals, maintenance and club amenities on an a la carte pricing basis for residents of the age-restricted units. Residents of the independent living, assisted living and skilled nursing units enjoy the traditional services and amenities that are associated with those service programs. Continuing care retirement communities normally require an up front buy-in or endowment fee and a monthly service fee rather than a monthly rent.
Personal care services are those services provided to residents in support of activities of daily living. Typical services are help with bathing, dressing, medication management, grooming, and mobility. Personal care services are provided by trained resident care assistants (CNAs).
Senior residence care assistants are able to assist individuals with their medication management. Normally this entails reminding residents to take a particular dose of a particular medication at a prescribed time, and documenting when medications are taken.
A Service Plan is a customized menu of services assembled to meet the individual preferences and needs of an individual resident. In most communities, a service plan is outlined and incorporated into the residency agreement before moving into a community. A service plan changes whenever a resident's needs change.
A Residency Agreement is the contract between the resident and the community to provide not only the individual apartment but also all services and amenities.
A Needs Assessment is the assessment performed by a staff member of the senior living residence (normally a licensed nurse) to evaluate a prospective resident's ability to live independently and safely in the community. This assessment is then combined with information provided by the resident, their family and then physician to help develop the customized service plan.
Activities of Daily Living are those activities which an individual must perform every day to remain living independently. They include: eating, dressing, mobility, hygiene, grooming, toileting and bathing.
Instrumental Activities of Daily Living are those activities which an individual desires to perform on a regular basis when living independently. They include: shopping, laundry, financial management, and using the telephone.