Assisted living facilities

Common myths about the assisted living facilities (ALFs)

With responsibility for the choice and select senior care options, many families have preconceived ideas of what assisted living facilities represent for the future of their own. Common myths are perpetuated by the media, which tends to focus on the negative stories experienced by a number of relatively small elderly. The following information will be dispelling myths and useful insight into the benefits of the ALFs.

Myth No. 1: the term "assisted living facility" is just new terminology to describe the nursing homes.

In fact, the ALFs are a relatively new concept, designed to meet the needs of a changing society, in which the elderly are living longer than ever before and prefer to live as independently as possible. In the United States, children adults juggle commonly two-career households, raise children and trying to meet the needs of their aging parents. Over the last twenty years, professionals in the field of care for the elderly have recognized the need to promote an active lifestyle in an environment where care is also provided. As a result, the elderly is no longer the feeling they are burdening their families with their needs, live independently in their own apartment, enjoy a full schedule of activities and feel secure knowing help is always available. While nursing care homes focus primarily on treatment and specialist medical care, assisted living facilities promote as much independence in activities of daily life as possible.

Myth # 2: Assisted living facilities accept older persons in a wheelchair or those experiencing urinary incontinence.

Although independence in mobility is encouraged for residents of the assisted living facilities, wheelchairs are not prohibited. However, residents must be able to transfer (move of bed/Chair for wheelchair, etc.) with the assistance of another person. Those who need the help of two people or who cannot bear the whole weight are not appropriate for this environment as their care exceed the licensure of the assisted living facilities. Similarly, residents experiencing urinary incontinence are usually accepted as long as their condition can be managed with a calendar of toilet, incontinence products and reminders on a consistent basis. In many cases, the elderly receiving assistance with toilet are able to return to an active social life that they have compromised to worry about the possibility of an accident. If bowel incontinence become a problem and cannot be managed in a manner appropriate, this may require alternate care facility as the condition poses a risk to the health of other residents.

Myth No. 3: Medicare will pay for care in assisted living facilities.

Medicare provides coverage for services of non-specialized care such as assistance in daily living activities, including bathing, dressing, medication management, grooming and transfer. While skilled nursing facilities accept Medicare, ALFs accepts generally only private pay and long-term care insurance. In some cases, assisted living facilities will allow a limited number of apartments for beneficiaries of Medicaid and other can offer programs to help residents whose income is below a particular median range. However, those with limited financial and anticipate that apply for Medicaid in the near future might consider options of alternative care such as nursing homes.

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