What is Assisted Living?

Assisted Living is a form of housing and healthcare. It combines independence with personal care in a warm community setting that preserves dignity of the residents. As defined by The Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA), an assisted living residence is a blend of housing, personalized support services and health care designed to meet scheduled and unscheduled needs of those who need assistance with activities of daily living.

ALFA members subscribe to a 10-point philosophy of care:

1.     Offering cost-effective quality care that is personalized for individual needs

2.     Fostering independence for each resident

3.     Treating each resident with dignity and respect

4.     Promoting the individuality of each resident

5.     Allowing each resident choice of care and lifestyle

6.     Protecting each resident's right to privacy

7.     Nurturing the spirit of each resident

8.     Involving family and friends, as appropriate, in care planning and implementation

9.     Providing a safe, residential environment

10. Making the Assisted Living residence a valuable community asset

Assisted Living residences house over one million Americans, young and old, of many different economic backgrounds. They accommodate those who are frail or disabled, those with Alzheimer’s or other memory disorders, and those who need assistance with incontinence issues.

Assisted Living residences come in all shapes and sizes: converted homes or schools, or apartment complexes. They may be adjoined to independent living facilities or nursing homes. There are assisted living facilities run by non-profit and for-profit companies.  Most Assisted living facilities accommodate 25 to 125 residents in single rooms or full apartments.

Services provided in Assisted Living residences usually include: meals in a common dining room, housekeeping and laundry services, transportation, assistance with activities of daily living (eating, walking, dressing, toileting), access to health and medical services, 24 hour staffing, emergency call systems, medication management, and activities programs.