Do you know the real purpose of an assisted living community? Younger generations may view these convalescence homes as a way of shirking responsibility, which is why this category of care can sometimes have a negative connotation. The truth is that there are many misconceptions surrounding assisted living facilities.

Who Lives in an Assisted Living Community?

An assisted living community provides 24 hour care to whomever is in need. They are commonly seen as retirement homes because the elderly are, as a group average, in need of some daily assistance in their later years. Whether they are referred to as a long-term care facility, senior independent living facility, or some other configuration, the purpose remains the same. There are quite a few younger people who also require special daily care, such as those who have a debilitating disease that requires the care of a skilled nurse. For these families, a great deal of stress is removed when the convalescent individual is put into an assisted living community.

What is Skilled Nursing Care?

A facility with skilled nurses has taken the time to chose the best candidates for the job; meaning, nurses who specialize or have quality experience with a certain type of patients. For example, many senior living facilities make it a point to higher nurses who have specialized in elderly care. Doing so ensures the elderly residents are receiving the best care that is suited to their unique needs. For an elderly assisted living community, the age of the average resident when admitted is about 79. And women outnumber men in a nursing home three to one. These simple facts indicate that a skilled nurse will be familiar with how to interact with residents, and knows what to expect.

Will They Be Okay?

It can be uncomfortable for the family when it becomes obvious that a loved one would be better off in an assisted living community. But that stress can be lessened by researching quality communities, and by remembering that their loved one will be going to a community where there are other people who are going through a similar experience.