| Questions about senior care or assisted living? Our courteous & qualified senior care advisors can help: Call: (866) 333-6550 Video Produced by Assisted Living Directory This is one of our most popular videos - a facility owner who discusses her dreams of opening an assisted living home! This video shows that there are passionate and dedicated people in the assisted living industry - people that we seek out to be a part of Assisted Living Directory! |
We are in an exciting and important time for assisted living! Millions of baby-boomers are getting ready to retire (if they haven't already), and although many of these people are healthy and in great shape, there are thousands in each state who have health issues that make them require assistance in one form or another. This assistance may be simply needing help with day to day tasks such as personal hygiene, or paying bills. Maybe getting around town isn't as easy as it used to be, or help is needed with shopping for groceries.
On the more serious end, there are millions of people that have debilitating diseases such as Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia. These people need around-the-clock supervision, medication management, and help with just about every daily activity.
This is where an assisted living facility can help.
Assisted Living comes in many forms and settings, with widely varying degrees of services, amenities and cost, depending on the facility. An assisted living facility may be in a more rural or country setting that is very home-like. On the other hand, an assisted living facility may look more like an apartment complex, or even a hospital. Definitions can also vary as to what assisted living actually is, and there are different requirements for licensure and different laws governing assisted living facilities from state to state. 
Assisted-Living-Directory.com lists numerous facilities and, at times, other senior care options, organized by state, and then by city. We recommend that if you are looking into assisted living for yourself, or a friend or loved one, that you take ample time to research each facility thoroughly. Visiting the facility you might be interested in is also of utmost importance, as well as checking health and safety records and possible violations that have occurred with the facility.
Assisted Living Directory does not endorse any particular facility on the site. Although we deem all of the information on this site as reliable, it is in no way guaranteed. Facilities are updated or change frequently. Some facilities may also go out of business. If you find any informational errors on our site, please let us know! Our site is intended to be a starting point for your research.
Assisted Living Directory strives to make quality online advertising for assisted living accessible for assisted living facilities of any size.
We wish everyone the best in health and happiness.
Contributors, Experts, and Voices of Assisted Living Directory
| Some of the many industry experts who contribute regularly to Assisted Living Directory, and those who have shared their expertise with us via articles, interviews and videos. | |||
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Trish Hughes-Kreis is a freelance writer who advocates on behalf of her disabled youngest brother, Robert, in order to keep him as healthy and happy as possible. Trish has authored her first caregiving book, Forever a Caregiver. Trish contributes regularly to Assisted Living Directory. |
David Besnette is the founder, owner and editor for Assisted Living Directory. David has taken his love for producing videos and writing, and researching to seek out experts in the senior care industry, so they may share their expertise about assisted living and long-term care. Many of his interviews and videos can be seen below, and throughout the site. |
Rev. Maria Dancing Heart Hoaglund has authored numerous books about death, dying, and grief. She has served as a bereavement coordinator for a hospice program as well. Maria has contributed her thoughts, wisdom, energy and experience to Assisted Living Directory in many ways. You can view her work, and more about Maria on her Creating Courage Around Death & Dying information page, and our book review The Most Important Day of Your Life: Are You Ready?
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Destiny Arrington owns an assisted living home in Detroit. Destiny knew that she wanted to own a Group Home from a very young age. Destiny has offered her expertise and experience for us on a number of topics, including staffing, challenges, obstacles and rewards with owning and operating a senior care home. Read Destiny's insights into these questions and more! |
What Is Assisted Living?
Assisted living generally refers to living with physical assistance rather than monetary assistance. In Assisted Living facilities, residents live independently in apartment-style accommodation or a residential setting that offers choices in personal care and health related services. Assisted living is essentially a senior living option that offers and combines housing, support services and health care, as needed. Some of the assistance offered may include meals, medication management or assistance, bathing and personal hygiene, dressing and transportation to and from shopping, medical, and personal appointments. Levels of care may differ depending on the assisted living facility. Some facilities may offer only basic levels of care - such as laundry, cleaning, and basic personal care. Other facilities may include help and assistance for memory disorders, Alzheimer's, and other forms of dementia. The size and location of an assisted living can vary as well. Some assisted living facilities may be located in a residential setting, and may only be able to care for under 10 residents. Other facilities are can be much larger, and may be located within a hospital or other health care facility. Some assisted living facilities may be able to accommodate hundreds of residents. To learn more, please view our more in-depth description and video "What Is Assisted Living? We discuss how assisted living has evolved to be a more acceptable choice for even younger residents struggling with certain conditions. We also discuss costs and expenses of assisted living in further detail. |
Our Interviews With Assisted Living Facility Owners & Administrators
February 2012 Interview - Dan Benson, COO, American Senior Communities
Our most recent interview in our "5 Questions" series was with Dan Benson, COO of American Senior Communities. In February of 2012, we asked Dan the following questions:
Q: Please tell us about assisted living options provided by American Senior Communities. How many communities does American Senior Communities operate?
Q: This may seem like an overly-general question, but I think it can say quite a lot: What do you believe is the most important component to the operation and management and ultimately resident satisfaction of any assisted living community?
Q: Your website has a page for Volunteer Opportunities. How important or essential have volunteers been to the success of your senior care communities? How easy or difficult is it to find good volunteers, and how do you get the message out into the communities where you operate that there are volunteer opportunities within your organization?
Q: I see that you offer something called "New Energy Wellness." Can you tell me more about what this is, and perhaps of some of the other unique or interesting services or therapies that your communities may offer?
Q: I watched a video that I found that was an interview with Sara Federle - an activities director for American Senior Communities. I immediately got the impression that she is extremely proud to work for your company, and is very passionate about what she does. How do you find good people like Sara, and how do you keep them happy, long-term employees of American Senior Communities, and how do you avoid employee turnover, which is not uncommon in this industry?
See The Full Interview & Dan's Answers
Thank you to Dan Benson of American Senor Communities for sharing your expertise and insight with Assisted Living Directory, which is extremely valuable to those families considering assisted living, as well as anyone interested in starting their own assisted living home or senior care facility!
Assisted Living Directory Original Videos
[Video] Assisted Living Directory Original Video - How to look up facility violations and citations: A simple tutorial on how to look up facility violation, citation, and inspection reports.
Video by Assisted Living Directory
Our Commitment To Quality And Safety
Let Us Know!
If you are aware of any facility or service listed on our site that has had safety or quality issues, please let us know by using our contact form. We will investigate and remove any service or facility from our directory that we feel does not uphold the highest standards of quality and safety.
As our site is growing, we appreciate our user feedback to inform us of news or issues happening in the assisted living and senior care industries. This helps us to ensure that our site is accurate and useful.
Assisted Living Original Articles & Senior News
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Assisted Living Success Stories & Inspiration: » An Assisted Living Success Story - A personal story of my Aunt who found happiness in an assisted living facility.
Choosing & Researching A Facility: » Facility Size - A discussion about the differences between large and small facilities. » Assisted Living is Confusing - Why this industry often times leaves people confused. » Beyond The Brochure - Researching a facility doesn't stop with the brochure.. » Involuntary Discharge - From both the facility and family point of view, how to prepare for and avoid an involuntary discharge from an assisted living facility » Referral Sites - Are they a good thing? » The Deposit - Is it refundable? » The Small Stuff - Paying attention to the details gives a glimpse into the bigger picture at a facility
Conditions:» Alzheimer's Disease - Symptoms and educational videos. » Dementia - Learn about the different types of dementia. It isn't always "Alzheimer's." We discuss Lewy Body Dementia, Vascular Dementia and Frontotemporal Dementia. » Parkinson's Disease and Assisted Living - Assisted Living can offer an important and viable living & housing alternative for individuals affected by Parkinson's Disease. » Stroke and Assisted Living - Assisted Livingis a viable option for many families who are dealing with Stroke Issues.
Equipment & Facility Supplies:» Walk-In Bathtubs - Can make any bathroom safer, especially in an assisted living environment.
Health & Happiness:» Avoiding Assisted Living - Things you can do to remain independent as long as possible. » Communicating With Mom and Dad - More than just a simple "hello' - communicating with mom and dad, especially if they live in an assisted living facility can provide important insights into their health and well-being. » Checking In on Mom and Dad - The holidays offer a unique opportunity to check in on mom and dad in person. This can help you to assess how they are doing, and whether extra help, or an alternative living arrangement - such as assisted living - should be considered. |  | Marketing:» Marketing your facility - In this competitive industry, how can you best get the word out about yours? Various strategies are discussed here.
Paying For Assisted Living:» Costs, Expenses and Paying for Assisted LivingRecommended Reading:» The Most Important Day of Your Life: Are You Ready?
Regulations & Oversight:» Pennsylvania Regulations - are they just 'window dressing?'» Sanitation and Food Safety In Assisted Living Facilities - Who regulates the industry?
Safety & Security Issues:» Identifying Elder Abuse - The signs may not always be obvious.» Locks and Peepholes - Very important items if you live in an assisted living facility, but do they work, and can you reach them? » Wandering - A big security issue in many facilities
Senior Issues:» Being An Assertive Senior - Get your tough questions answered, and get a second opinion!» Stubborn Senior - Unfair To Family Caregivers? - Not asking for help, or not accepting help that is available can be unfair to those caring for you. » Managing and Minimizing Grief and Loneliness - We recently visited an assisted living/memory care facility and witnessed some of the strategies used by the facility to manage loneliness and grief.
State And Federal Services & Support:» The Important Role Of A Long-Term Care OmbudsmanSupport For Families And Caregivers:» Area Agencies on Aging - What they are, and how they can help families, seniors, and caregiversTips, Tools & "How To"» Facility Questionnaire - A printable (.pdf) list of important questions to ask facilities.» How To Open An Assisted Living Facility - Hopefully this page will be a good nudge in the right direction! » Memory Boxes - Help confused or disoriented residents with this simple tool.
Types of Facilities:» Assisted Living For Obesity? Is there such a thing? | | Assisted Living Directory Original Videos:
Tips, Tutorials and Interviews:
» Our Mission: Assisted Living Directory strives to make quality online advertising accessible and affordable for assisted living facilities of any size. | |||
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![[Video] Benefits of Smaller Assisted Living Homes](http://s2.torbit.com/img/d5e0f58826c07c8ff698713eaa009636dc97b552-what_is_assisted_living_video.gif)
Assisted Living Facilities, News & Senior Care