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WHAT IS ASSISTED LIVING?
Assisted living is probably the most broadly defined form of senior living available today. Small wonder. With changes in medical and health technology and evolving attitudes about aging, assisted living solutions become more popular every year.
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 unscheduled — of those seniors who need help with activities of daily living (ADL), such as bathing, dressing, eating and monitoring medications.
Assisted living is generally for those seniors who can no longer manage on their own but whom do not need the intensive, 24-hour complex medical services of traditional long-term care. The average assisted living resident is 83 years old and requires assistance with two ADLs.
In general, assisted living provides a balance of residential living, health and recreational services, and assistance in day-to-day living activities. In reality, it offers residents many of the same benefits as independent living, while providing basic help in areas that may have become personally challenging.
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