A community that offers several levels of assistance, including independent living, assisted living and nursing home care. It is different from other housing and care facilities for seniors because it usually provides a written agreement or long-term contract between the resident (frequently lasting the term of the resident's lifetime) and the community which offers a continuum of housing, services and health care system, commonly all on one campus or site [from Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA)]. Such facilities shall be operated for mature adults, generally 55 years old or older, that may include one or any combination of an independent living facility, assisted living facility, or nursing home, as follows:
A. INDEPENDENT LIVING
A residential living setting for elderly or senior adults that may or may not provide hospitality or supportive services. Under this living arrangement, the senior adult leads an independent lifestyle that requires minimal or no extra assistance. Generally referred to as "elderly housing" in the government-subsidized environment, "independent living" also includes rental-assisted or market-rate apartments or cottages where residents usually have complete choice in whether to participate in a facility's services or programs (from ALFA).
B. ASSISTED LIVING
A special combination of housing, personalized supportive services and health care designed to meet the needs, both scheduled and unscheduled, of those who need help with activities of daily living. Services provided in assisted living residences usually include:
(1) Three meals a day served in a common dining area.
(2) Housekeeping services.
(3) Transportation.
(4) Assistance with eating, bathing, dressing, toileting and walking.
(5) Access to health and medical services.
(6) Twenty-four-hour security and staff availability.
(7) Emergency call systems for each resident's unit.
(8) Health promotion and exercise programs.
(9) Medication management.
(10) Personal laundry services.
(11) Social and recreational activities (from ALFA).
C. NURSING HOME
Provides twenty-four-hour skilled care for the more acute patients. Patients generally rely on assistance for most or all daily living activities (such as bathing, dressing and toileting) (from ALFA). One step below hospital acute care. Regular medical supervision and rehabilitation therapy are mandated to be available, and nursing homes are eligible to participate in the Medicaid program. These facilities are state licensed. Also referred to as "nursing facility" or "convalescent home" (from ALFA).