​In my last article, “The Intangible Values of Assisted Living: Love and Innovation,” I highlighted the innovation that is happening in assisted living communities across the country. Providers are committed to meeting the needs of current and future residents, and they are doing this by offering enhanced services, new technologies, and modernized buildings.

While this work to move our profession into the future is amazing, it is important to recognize that every resident has different needs and wants. That is why finding the right community to call home is so important.

More and more families are relying on assisted living communities to care for their aging loved ones. Senior living providers understand the challenges families face when going through the process of choosing an assisted living community for their loved one and the impact of that decision. Finding the right community means peace of mind for family members and a safe, comfortable home for residents where they receive high-quality care.

The good news is there are many resources available to help families throughout the process, resources that will equip them with the knowledge to choose the best assisted living community for their loved one and the confidence to know they made the right selection. I encourage you to share these resources with potential residents and their families to support them in their journey.

What Assisted Living Offers Compared to Other Settings

Person-centered care is the foundation of assisted living communities. Residents receive increased supervision in a homelike setting. These are individuals who may have cognitive impairments or physical limitations, which make assistance with daily living activities necessary, but they don’t require 24/7 medical care.

Assisted living communities value independence while giving residents hands-on support that is tailored to their specific needs. They help residents with daily activities, such as bathing, getting dressed, cleaning, and eating. At the same time, they provide social and recreational activities. Most assisted living communities have an activities director or department that plans daily activities for their residents. Meeting the social, emotional, cultural, intellectual, and spiritual needs of the residents is just as important, and providers strive every day to bring a holistic approach to healthy living.

Choosing the Right Community

There are more than 30,000 assisted living communities serving more than 800,000 residents nationwide. When considering an assisted living community, there are resources available to help families find the community that meets their specific needs.

The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) created the Our Senior Care website to empower potential residents and families in their search. On this website, you’ll find several resources that will help educate families about long term care and answer commonly asked questions. One of the most valuable tools on Our Senior Care is the Care Finder. The Care Finder allows you to type in your city or zip code and find assisted living communities in your area. The communities listed are current AHCA/NCAL members, and the Care Finder indicates active recipients of the AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program.

While online resources are helpful, they should be only one part of the research. To aid in the decision-making process, families should schedule in-person tours of the communities they are considering. Look at the living quarters. Try the food. Meet the staff and residents. Talk to other families. Ask detailed questions to get a clear picture of the services offered and the care a loved one will be receiving.

Remember that there is nothing more important than peace of mind. While loved ones receive the care of highly trained and dedicated staff, it’s critical to be confident and comfortable with the ultimate decision.

The Value of Assisted Living Care

Paying for assisted living care is a legitimate concern for many families. The average monthly cost is $5,350, and while this is less than the average cost for homemaker services ($5,720) or engaging a home health aide ($6,292), it’s still a considerable financial obligation. But it’s important to keep in mind that assisted living communities often take care of everything: housing, care services, meals, transportation, social events, and more.

The majority of assisted living residents use private funds to pay for personal care and room and board, as Medicare does not cover assisted living, and Medicaid coverage varies by state. When meeting with individual communities, it’s important for families to discuss in detail the available payment and coverage options.

Celebrating Assisted Living

Assisted living communities are a growing aspect of long term care, and NCAL is grateful for the hundreds of thousands of men and women who have chosen to serve seniors as their profession. We will be honoring them during National Assisted Living Week, September 8-14, 2024.

Established by NCAL in 1995, National Assisted Living Week provides a unique opportunity for residents and their loved ones, staff, volunteers, and the surrounding communities to recognize the role of assisted living in caring for America’s seniors and individuals with disabilities. This year’s theme is “Inspiring Generations.” Learn more about how you can celebrate at www.nalw.org.

LaShuan Bethea is the executive director of the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL).