Are you considering an assisted living community for your loved ones, but are not sure which one suits your loved one exactly? After all, there are many different levels of assisted living care, and it can get confusing without the right information. Not to worry, we got you and your loved one covered. Here are the three assisted living care levels, so you can better find one that suits your loved ones’ needs.
Types of Assisted Living Levels of Care
First and foremost, for assisted living communities, the majority of the states don’t impose minimum standards of care. And what this implies for your loved one is that it depends on each assisted living community to define its own levels of care and the requirements that each level encompasses. Therefore, while every assisted living community may differ slightly from each other, this article aims to explore the general 2 different levels of assisted living care. Some of the more frequent types of care in assisted living communities include professional nursing, assisted living, rehabilitation, and residential living.
Lower Assisted Living Level of Care
The first level is the lower assisted living level of care, and it is usually assigned to those who require just minor help. If your loved one is capable of walking on your own or using a wheelchair without help, they would fall in this level of assisted living care. If your loved one does not suffer from memory loss and is able to express their preferences, they would also fall into this level of assisted living care. Alternatively, if your loved one merely needs assistance fastening buttons during the day and using assistance when showering, but they are generally self-sufficient with their cleanliness on a daily basis, then they also fall into the lower level of assisted living care.
Even if incontinence products are required, if your loved one can handle their toileting demand, the lower assisted living level of care option would be a more suited one. At the same time, if your loved one does not require complicated medical supervision, but can benefit from team members handling their medicines and even assessing their levels of blood sugar, and doing other routine tests; it is definitely a sign that they require a lower assisted living level of care
Higher Assisted Living Level of Care
Those who require more support from caregivers are placed in the higher assisted living level of care. If your loved one is unable to walk or wheel themselves from one location to another and requires assistance, they are part of this assisted living level of care. If your loved one requires extra assistance with clothing, bathing, and managing their incontinence or toileting, they also require a higher assisted living level of care. If your loved one shows evidence of amnesia and requires more physical or verbal or physical indications to go about their day, or even to come to their own decision, it is definitely a sign that they require a higher assisted living level of care.
Finally, if your loved one may require extensive medical assistance or help to manage chronic pain, as well as an increased risk of falling or safety problems, the higher assisted living level of care option would be a more suited one.
