The buildings are generally very “home-like” in appearance while providing services and staffing to assist residents 24 hours a day. 

Assisted living communities are for the frail older person who is impaired and needs 24-hour monitoring or assistance with activities of daily living, such as dressing, bathing, meal preparation and medication reminders. Accommodations are generally a small apartment or a single bedroom with a bathroom. Three meals a day are served to the resident in a community dining room. There are planned activities. Housekeeping and laundry services are provided.  

Many operators also offer additional services such as hair care, toiletries, unscheduled transportation, additional furniture, incontinence supplies, guest meals, telephone and cable services and additional levels of care (such as heavier assistance for activities of daily living, incontinence and medication services). Alzheimer’s/dementia/memory loss care also often is offered and may be available as an a la carte service or as part of the overall benefits package.

Residents need to be mobile but may need assistance due to confusion, poor vision or weakness. Residents may use a walker or wheelchair but should be able to transfer to and from bed on their own. 

Some facilities have nursing staff to administer medications; some may just remind the resident at the appropriate time.

This article originally appeared on McKnight's