What Are the Requirements for Assisted Living?

Making the decision to move into assisted living is never easy, regardless of whether you are making the decision for yourself or a loved one. But before you can even consider whether it is time to move into assisted living, you first need to determine whether you qualify. The following are some of the requirements for assisted living.

You Need Help with Daily Tasks

Just because you forgot to bring in the mail once or twice does not mean you qualify for assisted living. But if daily tasks like doing laundry or cooking and cleaning becomes a struggle, that is when it becomes time to look into assisted living.

You Do Not Need Constant Monitoring

Assisted living is not the same as memory care. Some assisted living communities do offer memory care, but it is usually a separate part of the building, with different services and amenities from those offered in assisted living. Applicants will be tested by the staff before being accepted to determine whether they need assisted living or memory care.

You Do Not Have Extensive Medical Needs

Assisted living communities are not the same as nursing homes. While assisted living communities offer services to help you perform daily tasks, nursing homes are available to those who are healing from an injury, surgery, or a severe illness. Nursing homes can offer a higher level of medical care than assisted living communities.

How Are the Requirements for Assisted Living Determined?

Most assisted living communities have an application process that helps them determine whether someone is eligible for assisted living.

Once an application has been accepted, someone from the assisted living community will conduct an assessment to determine the type and level of care you or your loved one needs. The assessment usually includes things like

• Getting a list and schedule of medications, as well as determining how much help is needed when taking medications;
• Assessing mental condition to determine whether memory care is needed;
• Sensory assessments to determine whether and how well you or your loved one can see and hear.

Creating a Care Plan

Once the assessment has been conducted, the assisted living community will come up with a care plan detailing the amount of care you or your loved one will need. This ensures that each resident has a customized care plan catered to them and their needs. There is no such thing as a cookie-cutter approach to assisted living. The aging process is different for everyone, and the level of care you receive in assisted living should reflect that.

When Spouses Need Different Levels of Care

Older Americans who are married often worry about getting separated from their spouse when they need different levels of care. One of the great things about assisted living is its flexibility. Spouses can continue to live together while receiving different levels of care. They will even be billed separately so the spouse with fewer needs does not have to worry about getting charged for the more extensive care provided to their spouse.

Applying for assisted living is not as easy or straightforward as it might seem, but we are always happy to walk you through the process. If you have any questions about the requirements for assisted living, just reach out now to start the conversation.