Assisted Living
Find assisted living near me
Assisted living is a long-term care option for seniors. Arbor communities tailor assisted living services and levels of care to each individual senior, based on their physical and medical needs. For the most part, assisted living residents are independent, needing help with tasks like bathing, dressing, meal preparation, medication management, and transportation, but not necessarily 24-hour supervision. Check out our frequently asked questions below about assisted living at Arbor communities.
What is assisted living?
Assisted living offers around-the-clock caregiver oversight and assistance in a community that promotes wellness and enhances independence. Residents have complete autonomy over their home, finances, activities and visitors. Find out more about what assisted living is using the links below.
What is assisted living? A complete guide.
Assisted living offers around-the-clock caregiver oversight and assistance in a community that promotes wellness and enhances independence. Peace of mind that comes with knowing someone is always available to assist in case of emergency while enjoying a maintenance-free lifestyle with access to amenities like dining, engaging events excursions, housekeeping services, access to transportation, and on-site features like a salon, theater, library, and other gathering spaces.
Read more in our Complete Guide to What is Assisted Living?
Assisted living age requirements
For most independent and assisted living communities, seniors as young as 55 can take advantage of living in a vibrant senior living community. There is no upper age limit.
Read more about assisted living age requirements in How Old Do You Have to Be For Senior Living
Assisted living levels of care
Generally, it is common to find communities that feature two to four levels of care within assisted living, including residential living, skilled nursing, memory care, assisted living, and rehabilitation.
Read more about What are the differences between the assisted living levels of care.
Activities of daily living
Activities of daily living, in general terms, are the daily tasks we all complete to care for ourselves, which include: Bathing, Dressing, Eating, Transferring (moving oneself), Toileting and Continence.
As we get older, we might need some support with these tasks. Senior living communities often base their type of care on how many activities of daily living the potential new resident needs assistance with.
Read more about Activities of Daily Living!
Types of therapy offered in assisted living
Assisted living residents can work with physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech language therapy, and even respiratory therapy in their apartments or throughout their senior community. Each therapy has a different purpose and could be utilized on a short-term or long-term basis.
Read more about Types of therapy offered in assisted living!
Assisted living vs independent living
Assisted living offers around-the-clock caregiver presence to support seniors with activities of daily living, including dressing, grooming, showering, mobility, and medication management. Independent living offers the same maintenance-free living as assisted living, but without the 24-hour support from trained caregivers and nurses.
Read more about the differences between assisted living vs independent living!
Assisted living vs skilled nursing
Skilled nursing offers ongoing care to seniors with chronic, significant medical needs such as: daily IV medication, hospice care, rehabilitation from an injury, late stages of severe disease and need daily intensive medical care. Assisted living helps with needs such: as mobility impairment, chronic or progressive illness or mild to moderate dementia and need help with daily activities.
Read more about assisted living vs skilled nursing and what the differences are!
Assisted living vs memory care
The 4 differences between assisted living vs. memory care are: staff training, specialized activities, specialized environments.
Read more about assisted living vs memory care!
Assisted living vs nursing home
The biggest difference between nursing homes and assisted living communities is assisted living is designed to be more similar to home, whereas a nursing home is designed to be a more clinical environment. Cost is also a huge difference: the median cost for a private room in a nursing home in the U.S. was about $9,000 per month — twice the median cost of an assisted living facility apartment, which came in at $4,500 per month.
Read more about Assisted living vs nursing homes!
Assisted living vs residential care
Rooms may be private or shared, and bathrooms are usually shared as are living and dining rooms. By contrast, assisted living communities tend to be larger than residential care facilities, and residents are often housed in apartments decorated with their own furniture and often featuring kitchenettes.
Read more about assisted living vs residential care.
Assisted living facts
5 facts about assisted senior living: you may live longer, seniors are happier, you can live in luxury, you can gain more family, and assisted living is surprisingly affordable!
Read more detail about these 5 assisted living facts!
Cost of assisted living
The cost of assisted living varies depending on the region, the quality of the community, and the services offered. On average, assisted living communities cost about $4,000 per month nationwide. However, the exact amount you'll pay depends on a number of factors. Explore the links below to find out more about assisted living costs near you.
How much does assisted living cost?
In 2021, the national median cost for assisted living was $4,500. Remember assisted living includes the cost of rent, maintenance, dining, social activities, etc.
Learn more about assisted living costs and if it is worth it for you!
How to pay for assisted living?
Assisted living can be paid for by using a combination of savings, Social Security benefits, pension payments and retirement.
Read more about how to pay for assisted living and calculating the costs.
Assisted living cost calculator - compare the cost vs staying at home
Assisted living might make more sense for you! Assisted living often includes the cost care, housing, housekeeping, meals, utilities, maintenance, entertainment, and more!
Compare your cost of senior living vs staying home with our helpful tool!
Who pays for assisted living when the money runs out?
Medicaid will not pay for Assisted Living expenses, Medicaid can pay for assisted if someone qualifies to be in assisted living and has run out of income or assets. There are other options to help you pay for assisted living. Read more about who pays for assisted living when the money runs out!
Veterans benefits for assisted living
You migth be able to get VA benefits to help pay for assisted living care, depending on your income and the level of your service. Surviving spouses can get $1,244 a month to pay for their care. Veterans certainly get more but surviving spouses are still eligible for about $15,000 a year tax-free and they may have never had any contact with the VA, yet, they still can get this money because of their husband's service record.
Learn more about understanding VA benefits for assisted living in our video webinar!
Finding & transitioning to assisted living
When health or functional abilities decline, it becomes more and more difficult for the elderly to stay at home safely. It may be necessary to have a conversation about the dangers of living alone and the benefits of moving to assisted living. This way, they can make an informed decision that is best for their mental and physical health. View the links below for more information on helping loved ones seek care.
How do you know it’s time for assisted living?
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ow to get parents into assisted living?
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How to move a parent with Dementia to assisted living?
https://www.arborcompany.com/blog/compassionate-considerations-for-how-to-move-a-parent-with-dementia-to-assisted-living
How to find assisted living?
https://www.arborcompany.com/blog/how-to-find-an-assisted-living-facility-near-me (but there is a trello ticket on this which may mean the URL changes again. Trello ticket here: https://trello.com/c/rJet33BP)
Questions to ask an assisted living community
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Moving from assisted living to memory care
https://www.arborcompany.com/blog/when-is-the-right-time-to-move-from-assisted-living-to-memory-care
Assisted living accommodations
Assisted living accommodations usually takes the form of a complex of apartments or group home, and typically includes 24-hour access to staff who can provide assistance. Assisted living accommodations can come fully furnished or unfurnished and can be rented or bought. There are also various rules around eligibility and requirements. View the links below for more information around assisted living accommodations.
Furniture for assisted living apartments
Assisted living apartments may feature less floor space than you are accustomed to. What to bring: a comfortable bed and living room furniture. What to skip: large or clunky pieces, such as oversized china cabinets, entertainment centers, and sideboards; sell or donate them instead. Refer to any floor plans for the layout.
Read more about what furniture to bring to asssisted living apartments!
Assisted living - rental vs ownership
Choosing to rent vs own your assisted living apartment can be a difficult decision. Renting is a good option if you: prefer an all-inclusive approach that ensures that someone will always be available to make repairs, you live on a fixed or very tight income, or you have a terminal condition. Owning your assisted living apartment is a good option if you are young and relatively healthy, you do not have a chronic or progressive condition, or you want total control over your home.
Read more to understand assisted living: owning vs renting.
Can my spouse live with me in assisted living?
Yes! Your spouse can live with you in assisted living. Depending on the community you choose, this might mean you pay for assisted living, and they pay for independent living in the same apartment. So be sure to ask how costs are allocated and whether you’ll both have to pay the higher assisted living price tag. Read more about what life is like living with your loved one in assisted living.