Assisted Living typically evokes images involving white walls, shared rooms, and elevator music playing somewhere in the distance. Once upon a time, Assisted Living did resemble this, but today, the hospital-like environment has been swapped for vibrant communities that focus on meeting folks where they are on their aging journey—empowering, encouraging, and advocating for them to live their highest quality of life.
So what is Assisted Living?
Assisted Living is for aging adults who want to remain as independent as possible in a home-like setting but need some help with everyday tasks or personal care such as bathing and dressing. The amount of care is catered to each individual's needs, and residents still have the freedom to enjoy the abundance of Vibrant Living experiences available to them. The goal is to enhance quality of life by offering support in areas where an aging adult might be struggling while providing the opportunities that being a part of a supportive, social, and safe community brings.Who is Assisted Living ideal for?
Assisted Living is ideal for those individuals with:- Mobility Issues — including frequent falls or difficulty moving around
- Health Issues — Beginning to experience some health or memory issues
- Medication Issues — Not remembering to take medications or taking them incorrectly
- Feelings of Isolation — Feeling isolated, with little social interaction and lack of transportation
- Nutritional Concerns — Inability to cook or lack of desire to cook
What does a typical day look like?
Residents typically wake up on their own and join for a communal breakfast. We offer assistance if they need help with a part of their morning routine, like dressing. After breakfast, we usually offer two to three activities, which our Life Enrichment staff will invite residents to. After lunch, there is typically another activity or two that residents can join in before dinner. On some evenings, there are special events like concerts. Throughout the day, various staff will have touch points with the residents, coming in to make their bed or empty their trash, ensuring they’re safe and offering a moment of connection.
The amount of care is catered to each individual's needs, and residents still have the freedom to enjoy the abundance of Vibrant Living experiences available to them.
There is, however, plenty of flexibility within Assisted Living. It’s not rigid, and nothing is forced upon residents. For example, there are some residents who enjoy and can manage breakfast on their own in their room. They’ll do so and join us afterward for activities or another meal time.
Holland Home Staff-to-Patient Ratios
You might be surprised to learn that the State doesn’t actually require nurses to be present in assisted living. We believe the knowledge and experience of nurses are essential to the care of our residents, which is why our staffing levels go above and beyond what is required. Detailed below are the staff-to-patient ratios we have to help promote a healthy and safe environment.- DeVos (Regular Assisted Living) - Days and evenings: 1:10. Nights 1:30
- Cook (Memory Care Assisted Living) - Days 1:7. Evenings: 1:8. Nights 1:12
- Mol Centers (Memory Care Assisted Living) - Days and evenings: 1:6. Nights 1:11
Paying for Assisted Living
Many might assume that Medicare or Medicaid will cover Assisted Living, but it is private pay. Residents pay a $5,000 entrance fee (+$100 previously paid application fee) and must show they have the financial means to cover 36 months cost of care for the level at which they enter. If, down the road, they can no longer afford care, our Lifecare Promise guarantees that they will always have a home and the care they need.Why You Shouldn’t Wait
Everyone wants to stay independent for as long as possible, but staying home too long isn’t always beneficial. People who wait until greater physical or cognitive decline have less ability to assimilate to a new environment, partake in what we have to offer, and enjoy their time in this community. It’s also important to note that placement isn’t immediate. There’s a process involved, and often, that includes a waitlist.
This blog answers some of the most common questions we get about Assisted Living, but if you’re interested in learning more, you can watch our At Home with Holland Home webinar covering the topic with the link below.