Assisted Care

Assisted care facilities offer long-term care to those who need help with daily tasks like bathing and dressing, but don’t need as much medical or nursing care as a nursing home. Assisted care facilities aim to keep your life independent and private for as long as possible.

There are two main types of assisted care:

• Group homes are houses where at least two unrelated people live together. They offer room, meals, laundry and help with daily tasks in a homelike setting. Help is provided by a family or caregiver who usually lives on-site.
• Assisted living facilities are larger, community-based centers that offer health care monitoring as well as help with everyday activities. They also may have a special unit to care for people with Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Assisted care professionals will meet with you when you first move into one of these facilities so they can create a service plan to best meet your needs. Assisted care communities also may offer the following personal care services and amenities: 

Personal care services:

• help with bathing, dressing, eating, using the bathroom and walking
• emergency call systems
• medicine management/reminders
• staff nearby to respond to needs
• access to health/medical services 
  

• meals served in a common area
• transportation
  
• security
• housekeeping
• exercise/wellness programs
• laundry services
• social services
• activities
  

Additional Resources:

American Geriatrics Society’s Health in Aging Foundation: www.healthinaging.org

Argentum: www.argentum.org

Eldercare Locator: eldercare.acl.gov