An assisted living center offers private apartments, tailored care and assisted living.  Seniors may opt to pay rental month to month. The private apartments include appliances, parking, utilities and 24-hour security.  Each apartment has an emergency pull cord system.  Most centers offer weekly housekeeping and linen service.

Seniors can elect to prepare their own meals or dine in restaurant style.  The facility normally has a beauty salon, laundry rooms, library, and dining room.  Transportation can be scheduled.

Tailored care plans are offered to those seniors requiring special and specific needs.  Assisted living includes the following levels of service:

• 24 hour staffing by nursing assistants supervised by registered nurses.
• 2-hour monitoring/checks.
• Bathing assistance twice weekly.
• Personal incontinence assistance.
• Personal laundry.
• Full medication supervision.
• Meal reminders and/or escort to and from meals.
• Personal emergency call system.
• Assistance with personal schedules (eg, doctor appointments).
• Delivery of mail.

Assisted living center staff respect the decisions and individuality of the elderly who reside at the center.

Dependent on the individual’s health and choice of living arrangements, a senior may wish to stay in their home. Personal assistants can provide help anywhere from short visits up to and including 24×7 care.  The disadvantage to being at home and only scheduling visits is that should a medical emergency arise where you cannot get to a telephone, the response time for assistance will be delayed significantly.

The option of assisted living facilities/centers is becoming increasingly more common to seniors as they age.  The decision is not easy as ‘assisted living’ does not have a uniform definition of services. Assisted living facilities are not fully regulated.  Each state develops their own licensing requirements, regulations and inspection procedures.

You must carefully consider the types of services you require and how much.  Do you have minor health needs?  Do you want access to an onsite medical facility?  Do you require regular monitoring of chronic medical concerns?  Do you need assistance with medication management?  Are you mobile or do you need assistance?  Do you need your meals prepared and served?  Do you need meal reminders?  Do you need assistance with housekeeping, laundry, and transportation?  Do you enjoy planned social and recreational activities?

By answering these questions on independent living care will be a first step in helping you decide whether to select an independent retirement community, an assisted living facility or a continuing care retirement community.

In an effort to remain independent, some seniors are provided with a sense of security when a trusted friend of family member makes daily telephone calls or visits. They are secure in the knowledge that if they are unreachable that emergency services will be called. In the absence of a family, friend, or neigbour, seniors can enlist the assistance of a medical alarm service provider (who will perform the same function).

A senior who is unable to prepare meals can make arrangements with Meals on Wheels to deliver to their homes.  For those that cannot drive, there are now on-line grocery shopping and banking websites.  For those that are not internet savy, there are many agencies available that will arrange anywhere from three-hour visits to 24 x 7 care at home.

Personal support workers offer companionship, assistance with medications, laundry and housework assistance, personal care and hygiene, restorative/activation activities, and home management activities.

There are many service providers (some are volunteers) that are also available to assist elderly adults with grocery shopping, escorting, transportation, yard chores, and reading the mail. The provider can also network, link, and advocate on behalf of the person with social services and health care providers.

There are also several products available to use at home.  Bathrooms can be equipped with shower chairs or bathtub rails.  For mobility, there are several options depending on the health of the person – walkers, wheelchairs, scooters, canes, bed canes, etc.  In the kitchen, you can use an electric jar opener for those afflicted with arthritis of other ailments.

Elderly independent living allows seniors to enhance the quality of life.

• Senior apartments
• Retirement communities
• Low-income housing

Independent living for seniors is also known in others terms such as, retirement communities and homes, senior apartments and housing, and independent living communities.  Retirement communities may be standard subdivisions, cluster housing, single-family or attached homes, and mobile or manufactured homes.  Depending on the community, residents may either buy or lease their homes.

Independent living is the ability to maintain one’s residence and lifestyle without medical assistance. Individuals are permitted to bring in outside services of their choice, should this become necessary.

Independent living is ideally suited to seniors that wish to live independently, and who are healthy and able to care for themselves.  They not longer want the burden of maintaining a house.  Individuals want the security in a seniors-only community and wish to live among their peers.  They also have the means to pay for the home they are looking for, or the requirements necessary to receive subsidized housing.

Seniors who select independent living are able to manage their homes and provide for their personal needs on their own.  An adult cannot select this lifestyle if assistance is required in custodial care with assistance in bathing, dressing, grooming, and eating.
Each independent community provides communal space (could range from a sitting room to a community center).  All units have kitchens, however some communities also offer meals in a communal dining area.

Before selecting a senior independent living option, a few of the considerations you should keep in mind are security, parking convenience, availability of public transportation, and distance to the closest hospital and doctor.  Once you have made your decision, you are on your way to the freedom you have been dreaming of!

In San Francisco a total of 50 retired Vietnam veterans and disabled people sat in the Health, Education and Welfare offices in 1997. This was in order to enforce implementation of Section 504 regulations guaranteeing them equal access for federally funded programs. Finally in 1979, Centers for Independent Living began receiving federal funds. Since then, independent living has snowballed. There are now over 400 centers nationwide operating a multitude of different programs from varied funding sources.

For many people independent living means being able to physically care for oneself and living on one’s own. However, independent living is not defined strictly in terms of physical self-sufficiency or living situation. The main element is that the disabled person (not family, friends, or professionals) exercise control and make choices. Independent living implies responsibility on the part of the disabled person to assume control of his or her life and to make choices and take actions. These actions result in desired changes in their lives.

A person who is severely disabled may require support services. Some of these support services include attendant care, housing, transportation, etc. This allows them to live independently in a community instead of being dependant on a friend, family member or in nursing homes. In this case, independent living becomes a service delivery system. Centers for independent living were created in order to identify, create, and improve these services. These services were also to promote access and attitudes in the community favorable to independent living.

The Center for Independent Living believes in many things such as equal access to programs, services, and employment, enforcement of civil rights, equal opportunities and responsibility, and most of all, all people are valued. Without the three men from California, who started the independent living movement, these beliefs would not be carried out today. Independent living is possible for many people thanks to these three men.

A person requiring support will normally need assistance with daily living tasks on a regular basis.  They do not have access to alternative ways for assistance on a short or long-term basis. Seniors predominately use the service, however, people with disabilities of all ages are eligible.  Services are provided to those with physical disabilities, learning disabilities, ill health, dementia, emotional and mental heath difficulties, alcohol or substance dependencies, and general frailty.

Support at home services recognizes cultural needs.  Assistance depends on the individual need of the person requiring support and can include:

• Dressing and mobility
• Skin care, oral and personal hygiene
• Oxygen administration and medication management
• Continence care
• Life skills and home management
• Correspondence and financial transactions
• Feeding and meal preparation
• Family support

Priority is given to people with serious conditions (terminal and chronic illnesses, physical safety, deterioration of living conditions) or any circumstances requiring immediate support (eg, vulnerability to exploitation).
Community services include:

• Occupational therapy
• Referral, assessment, and care management
• Self-directed service
• Transportation and parking
• Assisted technology (eg, Velcro strips and mechanical grabbers, voice recognition software, and vehicle hand controls
• Peer advising
• Housing
• Advocacy
• Independent living skills training

Independent living services are essential to ensure that more people are supported at home rather than within an institution.  People with disabilities aspire to be treated safely and fairly and desire to contribute in meaningful ways to society!

This can be an option of finding a retirement home (or a resort community) for those that are reaching the age of retirement and want to get a start on owning a residence that they will eventually retire to. The attractions may include facilities such as sports (golf or tennis); ocean, country of mountain views; exercise rooms; and a variety of clubs and interest groups; other cultural activities such as, art classes, dancing, woodworking, ceramics, chorus, etc.  Some providers also include a clubhouse or country club with dining facilities, a marina, and a beach.

Individuals may opt to live in individual single-family homes, condominiums, town houses or suites in high-rise towers.

This option is favorable for those seniors who do not require assistance.  For those that need some help, it can be costly depending on the level of care required.

If a senior requires assistance, they may opt to select an option similar to unassisted living that also offers personalized assistance, supportive service and compassionate care (in the area, interest, or location of their choice).  Most facilities offer personalized assistance, supportive services and compassionate care in a professionally managed, carefully designed, community setting. It’s the perfect alternative for seniors who can no longer live on their own at home, yet don’t need 24-hour, complex medical supervision.

Without peer pressure, seniors are provided services such as bathing, dressing and medication reminders. They focus on wellness and keeping residents as independent as possible by providing a tailored plan of assistance. The seniors continue to enjoy beautifully appointed living spaces, delicious meals, engaging in social activities, transportation, and personalized assistance and care. It’s the assistance senior’s need with all of the independence they want.

Senior independent living provides seniors needs with all of the independence that they desire and require!

These communities are for older adults who are able to live on their own, however, enjoy the security and conveniences of community living. Some communities offer an enriched lifestyle with organized social and recreational programs as a part of everyday activities.  Some offer an extensive recreational program including:

• Reading/Library Lounges
• Swimming Pools
• Spas
• Exercise facilities
• Clubhouse
• Craft and Activity Centers

Others provide housing with only a minimal amount of amenities or services.

Health care is normally not provided in your fees, however, many independent living apartment communities allow you to pay for a nurse or health assistant to help with personal care and medication management.

Independent living has also been referred to as retirement communities, congregate Living or Senior Apartments. Whichever term is used, these residents believe that life holds endless possibilities – especially when they don’t have to worry any longer about mowing the lawn, painting the house, or worry about security.  Independent living homes offer health support services that promote independence and peace of mind.

Some have multi-unit communities, often apartments with kitchenettes, and staff that provide assistance with activities of daily living, such as help with bathing, dressing, and medication management. Amenities may include meals, housekeeping, transportation, and on-site activities.

Some Independent living homes take into consideration those individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia-related conditions.  They are offered the essential support — security, consistency, and specially trained staff. and therapeutic care – this enhances the well being of residents and reassures their loved ones that the senior is living the very best lifestyle that they are capable of recognizing.

Most independent living homes offer a robust activities program that is designed to meet the needs and interests of residents. Musical performances, concerts and plays, wellness and fitness programs, lectures, and computer classes are some of the many opportunities offered. Some also provide fitness centers, swimming pools and strength-training equipment.  This is an excellent choice for most seniors.

The goal is to maximize the empowerment, independence and productivity of individuals.

The services provide include (but are not limited to):

• Accompanying to appointments
• Running errands
• Cooking
• Driving
• Shopping
• Gardening
• Ironing
• Laundry
• Housekeeping
• Leisure activities
• Social outings
• Ensuring safety
• Companionship
• Assisting with correspondence
• Note taking

Independent Living Agencies ensure that each individual is treated with respect resulting in independence, choices, living well, flexibility, efficiency and self-determination.