What is an
Assisted Living Home?
Assisted living home is a type of senior housing. This type of senior housing provides housing, health care, and personal care services to seniors in need of assistance with activities of daily living in a more home-like environment than a traditional nursing home.
The assisted living homes have become a substitute for nursing homes and frequently provide many, though not all, of the same care services as a skilled nursing facility. Most offer private or semi-private rooms with private or shared baths.
They provide 24-hour personal and health care services (bathing, dressing, grooming, medication, etc.) and supervision. These homes are structured to provide a more social model of care versus a medical model of care.
Among assisted living homes, there is a wide variation in the level of care that may be provided. Some assisted living homes have designed their services specifically for the very frail elderly who need a very high level of assistance on a daily basis. Other assisted living providers specialize in providing a supportive and safe environment for seniors who are largely independent but need some minor periodic assistance with activities of daily living or medication management. It is important to know what type of environment each assisted living home caters to so that your loved one will be most comfortable.
Guide to Choosing an Assisted Living Facility from Arizona Department of Health Services (http://azdhs.gov/als/guides/achbro.pdf)
