"The term is popular in the United States, but the setting is similar to a retirement home, in the sense that facilities provide a group living environment and typically cater to an older adult population."
Examines the different types of long-term care and assisted living facilities available to older adults and the specific needs that each type of facility addresses.
Aging: The process of growing old and understanding the physical, psychological, and social changes that occur in older adults.
Gerontology: The scientific study of aging and its effects on individuals.
Long-term care: The provision of medical, social, and personal care services over an extended period to individuals who require assistance with daily activities.
Assisted living: A type of long-term care facility that provides housing and support services for individuals who require assistance with daily activities but do not need 24-hour medical attention.
Medicare and Medicaid: Government-funded health insurance programs that provide coverage for certain types of long-term care services.
Caregiving: The provision of care to elderly or disabled individuals by family members, friends, or professional caregivers.
Dementia and Alzheimer's disease: Neurological disorders that affect memory and cognitive functioning in older adults.
Palliative care: Medical care that focuses on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of a serious illness, with the goal of improving quality of life for patients and their families.
End-of-life care: The provision of medical, social, and spiritual support to individuals who are approaching the end of their lives.
Social isolation and loneliness: The feeling of being disconnected from social networks and the negative impact it can have on older adults.
Elder abuse: The mistreatment or neglect of elderly individuals, which can take many forms including physical, emotional, sexual, and financial abuse.
Estate planning and legal issues: Planning for the management of an individual's assets and medical care in the event of incapacity or death.
Housing options for older adults: A review of the different types of independent living, assisted living, and continuing care retirement communities (CCRC) available.
Technology and aging: Investigating how technology can improve the quality of life for older adults, improve communication with family and medical providers, and assist caregivers.
Diversity and aging: Understanding how cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic factors can influence the aging experience and impact access to care.
Nursing Homes: These facilities provide 24-hour nursing care and assistance with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating.
Assisted Living: This type of facility offers a mix of independent living and support services. Residents typically have their own apartments, but receive assistance with medication management, housekeeping, and personal care as needed.
Memory Care: These specialized facilities are designed for individuals with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. They often feature secure environments, specialized programming, and staff trained to work with residents with memory loss.
Home Health Care: Home Health Care providers offer support services to seniors who wish to live in their own homes. This can include assistance with daily activities, medication management, and medical care.
Hospice Care: Hospice is a type of end-of-life care focused on providing comfort and support to patients and their families. Services may include pain management, emotional support, and spiritual guidance.
Respite Care: Respite care facilities offer temporary relief to family caregivers, allowing them to take a break from their caregiving responsibilities.
Adult Day Care: These centers offer social and recreational activities, as well as medical supervision and personal care services for older adults during the day.
Continuing Care Retirement Communities: CCRCs offer a continuum of care services, including independent living, assisted living, and nursing home care on one campus.
Home Modification Services: Home modification services can include installing grab bars, wheelchair ramps, and other modifications to the home to make it easier for older adults to live independently.
Senior Transportation Services: Senior transportation services help older adults get around safely and comfortably, whether it’s for medical appointments, social outings, or other needs.
"The expansion of assisted living has been the shift from 'care as service' to 'care as business' in the broader health care system predicted in 1982."
"Assisted living is subject to state rather than federal regulatory oversight."
"What 'Assisted living' means depends on both the state and provider in question: variations in state regulatory definitions are significant and provider variables include everything from philosophy, geographic location and auspice, to organizational size and structure."
"Assisted living evolved from small 'board and care' or 'personal care' homes and offers a 'social model' of care."
"The assisted living industry is a segment of the senior housing industry."
"The industry is fragmented and dominated by for-profit providers. In 2010, six of the seventy largest providers were non-profit and none of the top twenty was non-profit."
"In 2012 the U.S. Government estimated that there were 22,200 assisted living facilities in the U.S."
"There were 22,200 assisted living facilities in the U.S. (compared to 15,700 nursing homes)."
"In 2012, 713,300 people were residents of these facilities."
"ALFs can be owned by for-profit companies (publicly traded companies or limited liability companies [LLCs]), non-profit organizations, or governments."
"These facilities typically provide supervision or assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs); coordination of services by outside health care providers; and monitoring of resident activities to help to ensure their health, safety, and well-being."
"Assistance often includes the administration or supervision of medication, or personal care services."
"There has been controversy generated by reports of neglect, abuse and mistreatment of residents at assisted living facilities in the U.S."