An assisted living residence is a facility designed for senior citizens or persons with disabilities who need help with some activities of daily living (ADLs). These people may need assistance with things like managing their medications or taking a shower or bath, but they do not need the 24-hour care and supervision provided by a skilled nursing facility. In Texas, assisted living facilities (ALFs) are licensed as personal care facilities. By Texas law, facilities that provide services to 4 or fewer people do not need to be licensed; facilities that have a census larger than 4 do require a license.
The first assisted living residence opened in the 1980's. This was a time when several social trends converged. First, people were living longer and staying healthier. Second, families were more frequently separated by many miles so that no one was available to meet the care needs of a senior relative. Finally, nursing facilities were still perceived as crowded institutions that did not allow for privacy or dignity. ALFs provided an atmosphere that was more like an apartment complex than a hospital. Most people in ALFs had private rooms or apartments. ALFs also provided opportunities for socialization and outings.
ALFs currently house over 1 million people in the U. S. Many of these people suffer from the early stages of illnesses such as Alzheimer's or Lewy Body Dementia that impair cognition. The rest have purely physical needs. In Texas, there are 830 licensed, and 4000 unlicensed, personal care facilities.
An assisted living residence provides customers with a room and with three nutritious meals every day. In addition, the facility also provides staff to help with activities of daily living. Common needs include help managing one's medications, performing personal hygiene tasks such as bathing, getting dressed, and going to the bathroom. Some residents may also need help with activities such as transferring from a wheelchair and eating.
Like an apartment complex, a facility charges a basic rate for each room or apartment, with single rooms and studios being the least expensive. The facility then charges extra for the care required by each person. Most facilities express different care levels in "points"--the higher the points, the greater the additional cost.
A recent survey found that the average cost of a personal care residence in Austin, Texas is $1500 per month. That cost goes up to $2000 per month when you consider the services received by most people in an assisted living residence. By way of contrast, nursing homes in the same region charge anywhere from $3000 to $4000 per month.
Although some 90% of ALF residents nation wide pay for their care out-of-pocket, Texas was one of the first two states to pass legislation allowing Medicaid to cover the cost of an assisted living residence through its Community-Based Alternatives program. This program helps over 20,000 Texans who would not be able to afford assisted living care otherwise.
Many people wonder when their loved one needs more care than an ALF can provide. Most states have not set any clear guidelines. Texas is one of the few that does have such guidelines. By Texas law, ALF residents must be able to comprehend instructions given in an emergency and must be able to self-evacuate in the event of a crisis. For instance, someone who is so confused they cannot understand which exit to use would not be appropriate for ALF care in Texas. Texas guidelines also state that ALF care is not appropriate for anyone who needs to be supervised and cared for 24/7, or for anyone requiring invasive procedures like medications delivered through a PICC line or catheter or tube feeding.
The first assisted living residence opened in the 1980's. This was a time when several social trends converged. First, people were living longer and staying healthier. Second, families were more frequently separated by many miles so that no one was available to meet the care needs of a senior relative. Finally, nursing facilities were still perceived as crowded institutions that did not allow for privacy or dignity. ALFs provided an atmosphere that was more like an apartment complex than a hospital. Most people in ALFs had private rooms or apartments. ALFs also provided opportunities for socialization and outings.
ALFs currently house over 1 million people in the U. S. Many of these people suffer from the early stages of illnesses such as Alzheimer's or Lewy Body Dementia that impair cognition. The rest have purely physical needs. In Texas, there are 830 licensed, and 4000 unlicensed, personal care facilities.
An assisted living residence provides customers with a room and with three nutritious meals every day. In addition, the facility also provides staff to help with activities of daily living. Common needs include help managing one's medications, performing personal hygiene tasks such as bathing, getting dressed, and going to the bathroom. Some residents may also need help with activities such as transferring from a wheelchair and eating.
Like an apartment complex, a facility charges a basic rate for each room or apartment, with single rooms and studios being the least expensive. The facility then charges extra for the care required by each person. Most facilities express different care levels in "points"--the higher the points, the greater the additional cost.
A recent survey found that the average cost of a personal care residence in Austin, Texas is $1500 per month. That cost goes up to $2000 per month when you consider the services received by most people in an assisted living residence. By way of contrast, nursing homes in the same region charge anywhere from $3000 to $4000 per month.
Although some 90% of ALF residents nation wide pay for their care out-of-pocket, Texas was one of the first two states to pass legislation allowing Medicaid to cover the cost of an assisted living residence through its Community-Based Alternatives program. This program helps over 20,000 Texans who would not be able to afford assisted living care otherwise.
Many people wonder when their loved one needs more care than an ALF can provide. Most states have not set any clear guidelines. Texas is one of the few that does have such guidelines. By Texas law, ALF residents must be able to comprehend instructions given in an emergency and must be able to self-evacuate in the event of a crisis. For instance, someone who is so confused they cannot understand which exit to use would not be appropriate for ALF care in Texas. Texas guidelines also state that ALF care is not appropriate for anyone who needs to be supervised and cared for 24/7, or for anyone requiring invasive procedures like medications delivered through a PICC line or catheter or tube feeding.
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