Assisted Living Communities
Assisted Living Communities respond to the fact that many older people have trouble performing some activities of daily living without help. Licensed by the state, they are designed for seniors who need regular help with daily activities (bathing, dressing, toileting, walking, medication reminders) but who do not need a nursing care facility. Such facilities offer a custodial level of care for seniors with some functional impairments, either physical or cognitive. Each residential unit has an emergency call system supported by 24-hour security and staff availability. These facilities may also offer three meals a day served in a common dining room, housekeeping services, transportation, health promotion and exercise programs, medication management, personal laundry services, and social and recreational activities. In some facilities the basic fee covers all services. In others, the basic fee covers only limited services with additional charges for services on an as needed basis.

Additional information may be obtained from the Assisted Living Federation of America, 1650 King Street, Suite 602, Alexandria, VA  22314.  Tel: 703-894-1805; Fax: 703-894-1831. Their Web site may be found at: http://www.alfa.org