subject: The Boom In Assisted Living [print this page] The explosion of healthy, active senior citizens in the United States has driven the growth of an industry known as assisted living. Honored elders who find themselves unable to live independently in their own homes need minimal care far short of that supplied by nursing homes, and assisted living care has expanded in size and options to fulfill that need.
The industry has grown in recent decades due to the aging of the Baby Boomers. As Americans born in the mid 1940s and beyond cross into retirement, demand for senior living communities has exploded. The variety of options has blossomed as well, because seniors today survive longer and tend to be more fit and active than those of the past. Assisted living care responds to their need for greater independence and dignity.
Independent senior citizens have been drawn to assisted living options that support a lifestyle that's not too different from the one they've had to grow beyond. Contemporary living quarters for active elders may be hard to distinguish from a regular urban apartment. Studio and one-bedroom spaces may feature a kitchenette, complete with sink, refrigerator, microwave, and other appliances, even when the assisted living complex offers its residents a full meal plan and a public dining area.
ALF, the acronym for assisted living facility has become a familiar term in the industry. Assisted care living facilities, personal care homes, or residential care homes are similar terms for an ALF. Such services all help residents to perform what are known as activities of daily living, or ADLs, including dressing, bathing, and grooming. More advanced ALFs may be licensed to employ staff that dispense prescription medications and perform specialized medical care.
Regulated and licensed at the state level, assisted living facilities are governed by no nationally recognized definition of their function. Lacking a strict definition, licensed and unlicensed care senior living communities routinely use the term "assisted living" in their marketing materials. There are more than 36,000 assisted living communities across the country today. The services, activities, and amenities they provide vary a lot.
Seniors and their families consider a variety of factors when choosing an assisted living care facility. Location - that is, whether the ALF is close to other family and friends as well as more skilled medical care - may be an important issue. The kinds of activities and services offered by the facility may matter to future residents. Prospective tenants might be interested in specific amenities like exercise facilities, a nearby mall or market, and in-room appliances such as refrigerators and microwaves.
Other factors to consider when shopping for assisted living include level of medical expertise on site, safety issues, and of course cost. Depending on the resident's physical condition, a well-trained and capable medical support staff can mean a lot. When they are on duty and how responsive they are to situations that arise could also be a crucial factor. Financial considerations may outweigh almost everything else.
ALFA, the Assisted Living Federation of America, serves the policy interests of the assisted living industry. ALFA publishes Senior Living Executive magazine and lobbies federal and state policymakers. The nonprofit also recognizes achievements and innovation in the assisted living industry with its annual Senior Living Best of the Best and Public Policy Awards.
