What is Assisted Living?

As individuals get older, they may develop a need for support with day-to-day tasks such a cooking or cleaning but without the requirement of personal care; and this is where assisted living comes in. This is a type of at-home care that provides 24-hour support for people with different care needs whilst allowing them to retain their independence through living in self-contained apartments.

If you’re interested in learning more about assisted living, the benefits it can provide and how it differs from other types of care – continue reading, as our team has put together this helpful guide to help explain all this and more.

What does assisted living look like?

When someone moves into an assisted living facility, they can enjoy the independence and privacy of their own self-contained property. This means they get their own front door and can come and go as they please, safe in the knowledge that there are staff available 24-hours a day to help them when they need it.

The level of care that is provided will be tailored to the individual person and so could range from anything from help with washing, dressing and going to the toilet, to taking medication and providing domestic help such as shopping and laundry. There is also an emergency alarm system to allow residents to signal for help when they need it.

Assisted living forms a special kind of community where social activities will be arranged and communal lounges will be available so that residents can socialise on their own terms. Assisted living is usually available from the age of 55 or 60 and will be overseen by a scheme manager and a whole team of dedicated support staff.

How does assisted living differ from residential care?

We’re often asked what the differences are between assisted living and residential care, and although there are some similarities, there are also various aspects of either service that greatly differ.

Assisted living provides an individual with a higher degree of independence, allowing them to manage many of their own day-to-day tasks, whereas if someone requires round-the-clock care, they would be better suited to residential care which focuses on providing closer attention to certain medical needs and structured support.

Residential Care, such as that provided by Mariposa is typically delivered in a care home setting, with residents having access to their own private rooms and communal spaces for meals and activities. Assisted living accommodation on the other hand, often involves of flats or apartments within a larger complex, offering a more independent lifestyle.

24/7 care is provided with residential care, which includes assistance with bathing, dressing, administering medication and helping with any other personal needs.

Are you at the beginning your care home journey? Discover our helpful guide on how to choose a care home.

Benefits of assisted living

Assisted living is proving extremely popular as it allows older people to benefit from the extra care that they might need without losing touch with their independent lives. It can help ensure that they still have a sense of control but will have someone close at hand who can help to provide meals, take them to the toilet and ensure that they are taking their medication correctly.

This also helps to provide a massive sense of peace of mind for families of those in assisted living. They can rest assured that their loved ones are properly cared for, while still allowing them to lead their own lives. This can help relieve the burden of care and in some ways rebuild family relationships.

An assisted living community can also help to fight the battle against isolation and loneliness. Each resident is surrounded by people of their own age, allowing them to build new connections in a way that suits them. There are plenty of social opportunities open to them, but also the privacy of their own home should they wish it.

What’s the difference between assisted living and a nursing home?

The main differences between nursing homes and assisted living boils down to the level of care a resident receives. A nursing home typically involves 24-hour medical care with specialist types of care such as dementia. Although nursing homes can provide similar individual living spaces such as their own room and shared communal spaces, nursing homes engage in a higher level of individual care.

Assisted living on the other hand offers day-to-day care and support for things such as travel, activities, food and so on, but most residents tend to be in better health and go into assisted living for the ability to have a more social and active lifestyle.

Assisted living is most often likened to sheltered housing, however, it is something which is regulated by the Care Quality Commission and provides more support than sheltered housing.

Whilst assisted living still provides 24-hour care in the same way as a care or residential home, the services are designed for those who wish to live independently and generally do not offer specialised nursing or dementia care.

If you would like to explore our types of care, we provide a range of specialist care options including nursing, residential, respite and dementia care.

Does the cost of assisted living differ?

The cost of assisted living can often be lower than residential care as fewer services are provided, however, you will need to factor in costs such as renting or buying the property if this is not already provided.

Assisted living is the ideal way to bridge the gap between independent living and full-time care. It means that older people are often able to live alone for much longer before needing residential care homes and can ensure that the individual concerned, and their families, feel much happier and more content with the support that they are getting.

Still unsure which type of care you’re looking for?

Head over to our helpful guide on the difference between a care home and a nursing home for information on that subject, or reach out to our team if you would like to discover more about our homes.