Consumer Information

Assisted Living is a long-term care option combining housing, personalized support services, and healthcare—as needed. This option of care is designed for individuals requiring assistance with activities of daily living—such as bathing, dressing, and toileting—while allowing them to retain dignity, privacy, and as much control as possible over their own lives in a “home-like” setting. Many assisted living communities also offer specialized care for those with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. An assessment is completed upon moving in or at any time there is a change in condition. This assessment allows the staff to develop an individualized care plan specific to the person.

Care is provided 24 hours a day, seven days a week, on a scheduled and as-needed basis—always in a way that promotes maximum independence for each resident, often involving their family members, neighbors, and friends. The North Carolina Assisted Living Association (NCALA) supports a “residential” model that is flexible in design and operation, providing quality care services to individuals of all incomes.

In the next two decades, the age group 75–84 will be the fastest growing segment, and beyond 2030 the proportion of older adults 85 and over will increase as the baby boomer population moves into this age group. Often individuals consider moving into an assisted living community when they can no longer safely live alone, experience some type of cognitive impairment, or require supervision and reminders regarding their daily routines.

The philosophy of assisted living is to provide person-centered care to meet individual preferences and needs. All residents are treated with dignity, privacy is provided, and independence and freedom of choice are encouraged. Family members and friends are encouraged to be involved in the assisted living community where their loved one lives. Residents are also often involved in the larger community through various activities arranged by the staff and volunteers.

The Adult Care Licensure Section (ACLS) of the Division of Health Service Regulation (a division of the Department of Health and Human Services) regulates assisted living communities, which are called “Adult Care Homes” (seven or more beds) or “Family Care Homes” (two to six beds) in the rules and regulations. ACLS is responsible for licensing of adult care homes and family care homes, and issuing and renewing adult care home and family care home administrator certificates and approvals, among other responsibilities. ACLS performs initial and annual inspections of licensed adult care and family care facilities, issues and renews adult care and family care facility licenses, takes administrative actions against licensees or facilities as warranted based on non-compliance with state rules and statutes, and assists with complaint investigations as needed or requested by county departments of social services or complainants, among other functions. You can find their Web site and learn more about the ACLS here: https://info.ncdhhs.gov/dhsr/acls/index.html

Assisted living communities provide several amenities and personal care services (scheduled and un-scheduled) and offer a less-expensive, residential approach to their delivery.

Typical Amenities:

• Three meals a day served in common dining rooms
• Housekeeping services
• Transportation
• 24-hour security
• Laundry services
• Social and recreational activities

Personal Care Services:

• Assistance with scheduled and un-scheduled needs related to eating, bathing, dressing, toileting, and walking
• Access to health and medical services (ie, physical therapy, occupational therapy, hospice)
• Medication management
• Care for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease, other dementia, and cognitive impairments

Yes, in some cases, specific care for Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias may be provided in an assisted living community. This type of care is usually offered in what is noted as a “special care unit (SCU).” This part of an assisted living community will have additional security measures and other specific architectural features and are state-licensed and provide specific programming to the population being served. Staff members are specifically trained to work with individuals who have various forms of dementia.

Home care is available from some NCALA Partner members.

Assisted living communities are regulated in all 50 states. In North Carolina, the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Health Service Regulation monitors mandatory services and procedures that must be provided or met. All assisted living communities offer 24-hour care for scheduled and unscheduled needs, as well as supervision.

Costs vary depending on the residence, apartment/room size, and types of services needed by the individual resident. Basic rates may cover all services or there may be additional charges for special services. Basic rates typically cover room and board and three meals a day. Additional charges may include entrance fees up to one month’s rent, deposits, and fees for other services such as housekeeping and laundry, although most providers include these services in their basic rate.

Most assisted living communities charge on a month-to-month lease arrangement, but some do require a more long-term arrangement. Currently, more than half of assisted living communities use a tiered pricing model with bundled services. Other possible pricing models include all-inclusive, a la carte, or fee-for-service. Providers regularly review service and care plans to ensure residents’ needs are being met. Billing typically occurs on a monthly basis. In comparison, assisted living is often less expensive than in-home care or nursing home-level of care.

As of 2019, according to Genworth Financial, the median monthly rate in an assisted living community is $4,051.00 per month. In comparison, the median monthly rate in a nursing home is $8,517.00 per month. Source: https://www.genworth.com/aging-and-you/finances/cost-of-care.html