FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Assisted living is a type of residential care that provides support to seniors who need assistance with daily activities, such as bathing, dressing, and medication management, while still promoting independence. Unlike traditional nursing homes that primarily focus on medical care, assisted living facilities offer a more home-like environment with personalized care plans. Holistic care in assisted living emphasizes the overall well-being of residents, addressing not only their physical health but also their emotional, social, and spiritual needs.

Holistic care in assisted living involves a comprehensive approach to the well-being of residents. This includes not only addressing medical needs but also focusing on mental, emotional, and social aspects of life. Holistic care programs often incorporate activities such as wellness programs, social events, spiritual services, and therapies that promote mental and emotional well-being. Additionally, nutritional support, exercise programs, and access to nature are common elements of holistic care in assisted living, aiming to enhance residents' quality of life and overall happiness.

When selecting an assisted living facility that emphasizes holistic care, families should consider several factors. Firstly, assess the facility's approach to individualized care plans, ensuring that the unique needs and preferences of residents are taken into account. Inquire about the availability of wellness programs, recreational activities, and social engagement opportunities. Look for a facility that values open communication with families and involves them in care decisions. Additionally, inquire about the qualifications and training of staff, as well-trained and compassionate caregivers are essential for providing holistic care. Finally, visit the facility to get a sense of the environment, cleanliness, and overall atmosphere to ensure it aligns with the resident's preferences and lifestyle.

It’s best to start with a physician’s assessment. Depending on the circumstances of your situation, or that of your loved one, you can match needs to the right level of assistance. When help with daily tasks is needed – taking medicines, bathing, dressing, meals, transportation and housekeeping—assisted living can be the answer. Trained professionals provide support while helping preserve an individual’s independence.

Five, six, $8,000 a month, that’s a lot of money. How do people afford it? We don’t focus on Medicare and Medicaid. We focus on private-pay, so whether it be longterm care insurance or an individual’s income stream from their pension, social security, or liquidating assets — like their own home or other assets and investments — to pay for their assisted living. This is what people typically do for assisted living. Even if there is a senior who doesn’t have access to those assets, it’s their kids who are taking care of the costs. So, how do people afford it? Frankly, they take care of it any way they can because they love mom and dad. The seniors we serve have families who make sure their parents have the very best care.

The average in America today is $4,000 per month for a private room in assisted living. That includes everything from Medicare, Medicaid, to the highest privately paid. The idea of $4,000 is average but you’re more than likely going to be above average. You wouldn’t want to put mom in an average place, when you pull up you don’t even want to slow down the car.

Average or above, so $4,000 to $6,000 a month is what people pay for private assisted living homes. That’s the sweet spot, that’s the focus, that’s what we teach people how to do. That’s what you should plan on paying if you’re going to move into somebody else’s home. If you want to live for free, start your own home.

Most of the people live in a residential assisted living facility are not as mobile as you might imagine. A lot of homes like the ones we train students to open are homes where the residents stay pretty much all the time.

We teach our students how to create an engaging entertainment schedule. Often the entertainment is brought in to them such as sing-a-longs, senior yoga, pet therapy, bingo, watching TV, as well as eating. Mealtime becomes very important.

Ultimately, spending time with each other as well as their visitors is what they enjoy most—even a visit from you, the facility manager or owner.

Medication management in assisted living homes, that’s a big deal. It’s something that is very important. The caregivers and the managers should be trained to be able to dispense or past medication. It’s not a hospital, it’s not a doctor’s office. They’re not injecting people. There are no bags of fluids. It’s not a medical facility. It’s a home. And there are seniors that do have medications. They do need to take a certain quantity at a certain time, and it’s important that it’s done properly. Whoever is responsible for passing out medications needs to be trained properly. In some states, they call this person a med tech. In some states like Arizona, caregivers are trained in that. It’s a part of their training and certification. Medication management is a big part of what we do in assisted living, and you should be prepared for that with your caregivers and your manager.