4 Abilities Seniors Need to Live in Assisted Living

Moving a parent or dear loved one into a long-term care facility is a difficult decision to make, but it's often the best choice. Assisted living facilities provide the care and support needed to ensure your loved one is healthy, safe, and able to maintain an independent lifestyle, depending on their skills and needs. There are, however, specific abilities that seniors need to possess to live in an assisted living community.

Four abilities seniors need to live in an assisted living facility include the ability to ambulate independently (or with a cane, walker, or wheelchair), self-manage medical conditions (i.e., taking medication when needed, etc.), think clearly, and regulate their mood and behavior.

This article dives deep into the four most important skills required for seniors to live happily in an assisted living facility. Toward the end of the article, we'll explain the differences between assisted living facilities and skilled nursing homes to help you decide which center is best for your loved one.

1. Independent Mobility (Walking or Moving Around)

Most assisted living facilities require that residents ambulate on their own, meaning they can walk or move around with little assistance. Using a cane, walker, or wheelchair is acceptable as long as they can do so independently.

Some centers have staff on-site to provide help with transferring residents from a wheelchair to a bed, but this isn't always the case, so check the establishment's eligibility criteria if this type of care is necessary for your loved one.

Many assisted living apartments or rooms have measures in place to ensure the safety of their residents. For example, they may have grab bars, walk-in showers, or non-slip mats in the bathroom.

For shower mats, I recommend the SlipX Solutions Accu-Fit Shower Mat, available on Amazon. This square shower mat fits most standard shower stalls and provides additional coverage than the average shower mat.

For grab bars, I recommend the HEINSY Suction Grab Bar, available on Amazon. This grab bar requires no drilling, so you can install it on any smooth, non-porous surface without damage. It can support up to 250 pounds and comes with a one-year warranty.

Bedridden seniors are not typically admitted to assisted living facilities because the level of care goes beyond the scope of what these centers can usually provide.

Seniors who are bedridden are better suited for skilled nursing establishments. These individuals need help with all activities of daily living (ADLs) — not just a few — which assisted living facilities aren't equipped to offer.

2. Self-Manage Medications and Chronic Conditions

The administration of medication isn't a regular part of most assisted living centers' model. However, many residents within these centers do take pharmaceuticals regularly, and there is on-site staff to help with reminders.

According to the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Planning and Evaluation, 98 percent of assisted living centers allow aides to assist residents with the self-administration of medication. They do not administer the drug to the residents but remind them and offer cues.

Therefore, any elderly adult living with a chronic illness must have the mental capacity to self-manage care for their condition independently if they wish to reside in an assisted living facility.

3. Clear Cognitive Abilities

Seniors suffering from severe cognitive impairment are not usually the best fit for assisted living environments, especially in cases of Alzheimer's disease, dementia, or other progressive illnesses.

Assisted living communities aren't secure facilities; residents have the ability to leave the property when and how they deem fit. Memory lapses and cognitive impairment can cause people to wander off, forget where they are or who they know, or show aggressive behavior towards others out of confusion.

If your loved one is suffering from memory impairment, it's best to seek out facilities that specialize in memory care. Assisted living centers do not typically have memory care staff on-site, nor do they have the resources to provide the level of care your loved one needs.

4. Ability To Regulate Mood and Behavior

Families of seniors with behavioral problems may believe that an assisted living community could help their loved one mitigate poor behavior. However, these centers do not usually offer clinical mental health services.

Most assisted living centers do not admit seniors with documented behavioral issues, especially if there is a history of problems at previous facilities. The following forms of conduct may make a senior ineligible for admission:

• Regularly locking themselves in a room
• Avoiding all social contact
• Yelling, screaming, or cursing at staff or residents
• Refusing, hiding, or hoarding food
• Threats of physical harm toward themselves or others
• Physical violence

Assisted Living vs. Nursing Home for Seniors

Though the two are often confused with one another, assisted living and nursing homes (also known as skilled nursing facilities) differ greatly, particularly in terms of eligibility, level of care, and amenities.

Assisted living facilities provide seniors with a sense of normalcy, offering community and a regular social lifestyle. These centers are best suited for active, aging adults that require assistance with one or more daily activities.

Skilled nursing facilities provide 24/7 monitoring, medication administration, and medical services for seniors with serious health conditions. They're suited for seniors who can no longer care for themselves and need around-the-clock medical care.

About Chip Mitchell

Chip Mitchell is the founder of Growing Gray USA. With over a decade of experience owning a home care company, he has helped hundreds of families navigate the complexities of caring for aging parents.