What Are the Levels of Assisted Living Care?
The transition to assisted living care can simultaneously be a joyful and uncertain time. While there are some uncertainties about the initial move and what it means, don’t worry. The friendly, resident-focused staff at BridgeWater Assisted Living communities are there during each and every step of the way.
They can answer any questions you might have about amenities or about community dynamics at various locations, and they can clarify what the levels of assisted living care mean for the incoming resident and answer your questions.
Who Uses Assisted Living?
According to the American Health Care Association, there are nearly 1.2 million individuals living in the almost 30,000 assisted living facilities in the US. Usually, the average resident in an assisted living community is a woman around the age of 80. She has likely moved from a private home or arrangement, and may live in assisted living care for two to three years before either returning home, moving to another home, or moving for other reasons, such as money or health problems.
What Should You Know About the Staff?
There are several key factors that will contribute to the number and type of staff that will be employed in assisted living communities. They may include things such as the size of the home, the kinds of services offered, and what type of special requirements exist on behalf of the residents.
Generally, staff can include activity directions, nurses, certified nurse assistants, administrators, food service managers and personnel, and health and wellness directors. In addition, there will be maintenance workers, personal care attendants, and contracted services from professionals, such as dietitians, nutritionists, physical therapists, physicians, and beauticians.
The community you choose should have enough staff to meet the daily (24-hour) schedule needs of residents, enough personnel to meet any unscheduled needs, a sufficient number to be there to meet the needs and address concerns of residents’ families, and enough individuals whose capacity is supported with education, skills, and continued training to meet residents’ needs.
Every Community Will Be Different
Different homes are going to offer different levels of care, and some may be more comprehensive than others. Bear in mind that at the current time, no federal regulation policy exists for assisted living communities, but because of the increase in the number of individuals needing or looking for assisted care living, many states are looking at designing a regulatory system that benefits all facets of the industry. There are, however, states that have assisted living licensure rules and regulations in place. Currently, about two out of every five states that have this sort of system in place.
Levels of Assisted Living Care
BridgeWater offers four different levels of care at its assisted living communities, from minimal for independent seniors in level one to comprehensive for seniors needing more advanced care in level four. All our staff members are trained to meet Arizona state licensure requirements.
Level One
The first level of care means that the resident is independent with their day-to-day activities and lifestyle. Medication is administered by one’s self and requires no supervision. In addition to general health monitoring, the community provides clinical oversight in areas such as healthcare evaluations, service planning, and medication oversight as required by Arizona state licensing.
Level Two
Level two is the same as level one, but with a couple of small additions. Overall health will still be monitored, but with the ability for care teams to intervene when necessary. Twice a day, a care team will manage medications and continue to go through evaluations and service planning, in addition to the rest.
Level Three
At level three, care differs by the addition of medicine management three times daily, daily grooming and dressing tasks, support in bathing twice a week, and orientation and reminders about some of the activities.
Level Four
Finally, level four is where the care team gives daily assistance in daily living activities, as needed. This will include help with bathing, daily grooming and dressing tasks, all medication management, reminders about activities and orientation therein, plus escorts to said activities and mealtimes.
What About BridgeWater?
The quality of care at any of our BridgeWater locations is unmatched, particularly for the price. We pride ourselves on being focused on the resident with assisted living care, but also in sharing our day-to-day lives. You’ll find genuine staff members who want only the best for residents and are happy to help them explore the options available to them at their doorstep.
BridgeWater Assisted Living also offers numerous amenities for all residents at any of the four levels of assisted living care. These amenities include, but are not limited to, libraries with books and magazines, movie theatres, community dining rooms, beauty salons, business centers, bistro coffee lounges, and wellness centers. For more detailed information about a residential community’s amenities or the neighborhood, please visit our website.
Modern comforts of upscale living can be found at our Deer Valley location, which offers an unbeatable aesthetic with affordable pricing that’s accessible for seniors. Plus, the location boasts desirable proximity to all the best that the Phoenix Metrocenter has to offer. Beyond the assisted living care community, residents can explore the neighborhood. They’ll find great restaurants, shopping opportunities, places of worship, in addition to other medical and healthcare services.
As with any new thing in life, it may take a short while to adjust to having a support and care team in place. A decrease in independence doesn’t have to take away your freedoms, though. It offers a way to connect with others, and perhaps most positively, connect with others who truly enjoy offering a helping and caring hand.
Our care team and staff are here to respectfully listen to what you want and can offer compassionate assistance as you wish. In developing a personalized care plan with your help, that of family, and your care advocates, you can know exactly how we’ll work with you to make sure you are well cared for.