| Assisted living facilities help older people with personal | | | | organisations. Costs range from $800 to $4000 per |
| care while trying to maintain as much independence | | | | month. Additional fees may be charged for certain |
| as possible, in between independent living and a | | | | services. Costs should be lower than for a nursing |
| nursing home. There are about 33,000 such facilities in | | | | home. When considering a facility, here are some key |
| America, each accommodating on average 25-120 | | | | points to consider: |
| residents. Other names for assisted living facilities | | | | - Is the community and facility well designed for the |
| include sheltered housing, domicillary care, personal | | | | needs of residents? Is it safe? |
| care homes, community residences and residential | | | | - Can residents choose whether to eat in the dining |
| care. | | | | room or in their own units? |
| The types of personal or custodial care undertaken | | | | - Are the staff warm and friendly? Do they use |
| by an assisted living facility include eating, bathing, | | | | residents' names? |
| toileting, taking medication, mobility, dressing and | | | | - What types of units are there and what is their |
| grooming. There is daily contact with supervisory | | | | cost? |
| staff, but medical care is limited unless otherwise | | | | - Do residents mix with each other? Do they seem |
| arranged. Supervision is 24-hour. Many assisted living | | | | happy? |
| facilities also arrange social events and outings, and | | | | - Is the food of a good quality, appetizing and in |
| most provide laundry services. Some provide | | | | accordance with dietary needs? |
| recreation rooms, outdoor gardens, libraries, exercise | | | | - Are there professionals on staff? What are their |
| rooms and chapels. | | | | qualifications and how often are they around? |
| Typical residents are widowed or single. Some have | | | | - Are there social and recreational programs? What |
| memory impairments or need help getting around or | | | | are they? |
| with toileting. Some facilities cater for special needs | | | | - Does the facility meet state license requirements? |
| like cognitive impairments, respite care, Alzheimer's | | | | - Do residents get a written service plan? When is it |
| Disease, Parkinson's Disease and terminal illnesses. | | | | reviewed and adjusted? |
| Facilities are run by for-profit and non-profit | | | | |