038. Assisted Living 101

What’s involved in assisted living - and how is it different from other senior communities? Senior Living Expert Lori Williams has the answers to common assisted living questions and explains who would benefit from it.A senior would move to assisted living when they have some care needs - maybe vision impairments, or maybe they need help with getting in and out of their wheelchair. Still, assisted living offers entertainment like arts and crafts, movies, outings, music and more while offering accessibility for those with mobility needs. This is in addition to the 3 meals a day and the medication management they provide.Topics discussed:- Who would benefit from assisted living- What to expect with assisted living- Assisted living activities- Types of assisted living- Mobility / wheelchair help- Moving to memory careTakeaways from this episode:- There are 2 costs associated with senior living: the cost of the apartment itself, and then the level of care you’ll need (for example, help with medication vs. help with bathing and incontinence).- You can choose the type of apartment you’d like, whether it’s a studio, 1 or 2-bedroom. You’ll typically get a kitchenette and wider doorways for wheelchairs plus grab bars in the bathroom.- Many assisted living facilities offer transportation to and from doctor’s appointments, and they’ll also allow physical therapy and hospice care to come to you.- In Texas, there are 2 types of assisted living: Type A, if you could evacuate the building by yourself, and Type B, if you have mobility issues. Type B is more common.- Some assisted living also include a separate side for memory care so it’s easy to transfer (or so your spouse can stay with you if they have different needs).- Many assisted livings allow pets and you can even bring your own furniture.Resources:The importance of beauty salons in senior living:https://www.loriwilliams-seniorservices.com/aging-in-style-podcast/episode/797afdf3/035-the-importance-of-beauty-salons-in-senior-living-communitiesTips for touring senior housing:https://www.loriwilliams-seniorservices.com/aging-in-style-podcast/episode/7925ffcd/026-tips-on-touring-senior-communitiesTo suggest a topic, be a guest or to support the podcast please email [email protected] For more senior resources and to sign up to the newsletter please visit:https://loriwilliams-seniorservices.com/