Older persons today are healthier and with fewer disabilities than their counterparts from previous generations. However, the rapid growth of the segment of the population aged 85 or older poses a challenge relative to service delivery and long‐term care policy. In addition to increased prevalence of chronic conditions, individuals in that age group are also likely to experience functional limitations, necessitating help with their activities of daily living.
Services in a nursing home cost, on average, $5,400 a month. Additionally, nursing homes tend to be modeled on hospitals, placing emphasis on efficiency and routine ahead of individual preferences. Assisted living emerged in the 1980s as an alternative to nursing homes to address the needs of these elders.
Assisted living aspires to provide care in a homelike environment while preserving the highest level of independence possible, and with special attention to personal dignity issues. Assisted living residences seek to offer...
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Suggested Resources
Elder care Locator. www.eldercare.gov/Public/Home.asp
Navigating your way to a Quality Assisted Living Facility, American Association for Retired Persons. www.aarp.org/caregiving
What is Assisted Living? Assisted Living Federation of America. www.alfa.org/public/articles
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Nottoli, M.J. (2008). Assisted Living. In: Loue, S.J., Sajatovic, M. (eds) Encyclopedia of Aging and Public Health. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-33754-8_43
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-33754-8_43
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
Print ISBN: 978-0-387-33753-1
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