Assisted Living

The next step in the continuum of care is assisted living. Assisted living is best suited for those that need some supervision but do not require 24-hour nursing care. Many people feel like the best solution to caring for their loved one’s needs is to move them to an assisted living facility. Assisted living facilities provide basic help with daily care. Residents have their own apartment, meals may or may not be included, and activities are generally limited. Residents receive weekly housekeeping and laundry services as well as med-management. Residents receive limited help with ADLs.

Recently there has been an increase in assisted living facilities keeping residents longer than they should. Some residents require a higher level of care and won’t receive these services in an assisted living environment, as they are not equipped to handle acute care services.

How do you know if assisted living is the right choice in care?

There are different care levels to assisted living. (Utah State Law)

Type I facility:

Shall accept and retain residents who meet the following criteria: are ambulatory or mobile and are capable of taking life saving action in an emergency without the assistance of another person; have stable health; require no assistance or only limited assistance in the activities of daily living (ADL); and do not require total assistance from staff or others with more than two ADLs. Level one aides are not required to be certified.

Type II facility:

Type I and Type II assisted living facilities shall not admit or retain a person who:

(a) manifests behavior that is suicidal, sexually or socially inappropriate, assaultive, or poses a danger to self or others;

(b) has active tuberculosis or other chronic communicable diseases that cannot be treated in the facility or on an outpatient basis; or may be transmitted to other residents or guests through the normal course of activities; or

(c) requires inpatient hospital, long-term nursing care or 24-hour continual nursing care that will last longer than 15 calendar days after the day on which the nursing care begins.

Check out Community Living Assisted Living Crescent Senior Living, and Mission at Maple Springs for assisted living level two services.

Nursing Home

Few things bring more fear to an elder than the term nursing home. Nursing homes are notorious for creating ridged institutional environments that strip the resident of their autonomy, privacy, dignity, and respect.

Nursing homes are appropriate for those that need 24-hour medical care due to disease, disability, or cognitive decline. Nursing home staff are licensed professionals and provide extensive ADL services, dining and nutrition services, medication and pain management, and extensive therapy services. Nursing homes provide extensive activities, wound care, IV treatments, and tube feeding. Nursing homes are tightly regulated through the state and federal government.

The key is whether you choose a traditional nursing home or a culture change community. Culture change homes provide excellent nursing and medical care, but keep the home relationship centered. Residents enjoy an environment similar to an assisted living facility, but have access to all the care that a nursing home offers.

Memory Care

Memory Care Communities offer programs designed for those with cognitive disabilities such as dementia and Alzheimer’s. Specially trained staff offer access to activities designed to meet their needs and cognitive level, preserving their memory and physical stamina as long as possible. Memory Care Units can be provided at both the Assisted and Skilled Nursing Level.

To learn more about us or one of our communities, please provide your information here. One of our representatives will be in contact shortly.