The ASSISTED LIVING FEDERATION OF AMERICA (ALFA) defines an Assisted Living residence as a special combination of housing, personalized supportive services and health care designed to meet the needs, both scheduled and un-scheduled, of those individuals who need help with activities of daily living.
What is the philosophy behind Assisted Living?
Both ALFA and FALA members subscribe to a ten point philosophy of care:
Offer cost effective quality care that is personalized for individual needs.
Fostering independence for each resident.
Treat each resident with dignity and respect.
Promote the individuality of each resident.
Allow each resident a choice of care and lifestyle.
Protect each resident's right to privacy.
Nurture the spirit of each resident.
Involve family and friends, as appropriate, in care planning and implementation.
Provide a safe, residential environment.
Make the Assisted Living residence a valuable community asset.
Who lives in Assisted Living residences?
Currently, more than a million Americans live in an estimated 30,000 assisted living residences across the country. These residents can be young or old, affluent or low income, frail or disabled. A typical resident is age 83 or older, is female, and is either widowed or single. Residents may suffer from Alzheimer's disease or other memory disorders. Residents may also need help with incontinence or mobility.
In Florida, Assisted living facilities (ALFs) are licensed by the Agency for Health Care Administration. ALFs are a social model that encourages dignity, independence and choice for individuals who need housing and supportive services but who do not need 24-hour nursing supervision.
To reside in an assisted living facility, a person must meet the standard ALF "residency criteria" which is defined by Florida regulations and by facility policy. In general, ALFs provide supervision, assistance with personal care services (i.e. bathing, dressing, eating, etc.) and assistance with or administration of medications. Residents living in ALFs cannot have conditions that require 24-hour nursing supervision. The only exception to this is for an existing resident who qualifies for and receives hospice services from a licensed hospice while continuing to reside in an ALF.
What does an Assisted Living residence look like?
Assisted Living residences can range from a high rise apartment complex to a converted Victorian home to a renovated school and can have as few as six (6) units. The average size is usually between 30 and 120 unites. Residences may be free standing or housed with other residential options, such as independent living or nursing care. They may be operated by non-profit or for-profit companies. There is no single blueprint as consumer preferences and needs vary widely. Units may vary in size from one room to a full apartment.
How is Assisted Living regulated?
Regulations and licensing regulations vary from state to state contributing to the wide range of housing models considered assisted living. In Florida, ALFs are regulated by the Agency for Health Care Administration. Administrators are required to be certified by completing a week long training and successful completion of a state competency exam. They are also required to have continuing education. Direct care staff is also required to receive specific training. Residences must comply with state and local building codes and fire safety regulations. FALA believes the most successful regulations are consumer driven, balancing the safety concerns we all share with the consumers' desire to retain their independence and freedom of choice.
Definitions
Assisted Living - is a residential setting that offers choices in personal care and health related services
Independent Living - is an residential living setting for elderly or senior adults that may or may not provide hospitality or supportive services. Under this living arrangement, the senior adult leads an independent lifestyle that requires minimal or no extra assistance. Generally referred to as elderly housing in the government-subsidized environment, independent living also includes rental assisted or market rate apartments or cottages where residents usually have complete choice in whether to participate in a facility's services or programs.
Congregate Housing - is similar to independent living except that it usually provides convenience or supportive services like meals, housekeeping, and transportation in addition to rental housing.
Continuing Care Retirement Community - A continuing care retirement community (CCRC) is a community which offers several levels of assistance, including independent living, assisted living and nursing home care. It is different from other housing and care facilities for seniors because it usually provides a written agreement or long-term contract between the resident (frequently lasting the term of the resident's lifetime) and the community which offers a continuum of housing, services and health care system, commonly all on one campus or site.
Nursing Home - Provides 24-hour skilled care for the more acute patients. Patients generally rely on assistance for most or all daily living activities (such as bathing, dressing and toileting).
