| 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 video discusses what one can expect from assisted living, the types and sizes of facilities, covering the cost of assisted living, and our recommendations. |
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?
| One of the most common questions we are asked is "What is assisted living?" We hope the following explanation, and video clip will provide you with some insight! |
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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.
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Our Interviews With Assisted Living Facility Owners & Administrators
January 2012 Interview - Carrie Springer of Woodland Ridge Assisted Living in Smyrna, Georgia
Our
next interview in our "5 Questions" series was with
Carrie Springer of Woodland Ridge Assisted Living. In January
2012 we asked Carrie the following questions:
Q: Please tell us about Woodland Ridge assisted
living, where your business is located, and how long you have
been in the senior care industry (perhaps in terms of the "History"
of Woodland Ridge.)
Q: You have two pretty unique programs and services
that you offer at Woodland Ridge - a progressive method of senior
care called CaraSysted®, and Our Friends for Life™ program.
Can you elaborate and tell us more about these programs and how
they benefit your residents?
Q: In an assisted living environment, it is important
for residents to keep in touch with, and connected with their
extended families (if they have extended family). How does Woodland
Ridge encourage and facilitate the maintenance of 'family connection?'
especially if family members live out of town or state? Are families
able to visit residents freely, or is it limited to certain hours
or times of day?
Q: You mention as part of your services and amenities "risk profiling." Can you explain what this is, and how it helps or benefits your residents?
Q: A good, stable staff is paramount to a successful
assisted living home or facility. How do you select your staff
(what are some important criteria), how do you keep them happy
and avoid employee turnover, which can be common in this industry?
See The Full Interview & Carrie's Answers
Thank you to Carrie Springer for sharing her expertise and insight with us, 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 - Dreams of Opening Your Own Assisted Living Home? Here
Is Some Inspiration:
This is a piece from a larger interview/video tour that we did
recently where a facility owner talks about her dream of opening
an assisted living home and helping seniors (something she's wanted
to do since she was 7) - and how this dream has become a reality.
Video created September 2011 - Produced 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. |
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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 Ombudsman» ALTCS - What it is and how it can help. » California Assistance - Paying for Senior Housing & Waiver Program Support 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? |
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Assisted Living Directory Original Videos:
Tips, Tutorials and Interviews:
» We have an assisted living blog that features assisted living news, insights, videos and interviews. » Check out our glossary of terms for the assisted living market! » 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](images/what_is_assisted_living_video.gif)
Assisted Living Facilities, News & Senior Care