A middle ground between independent living and nursing homes, Catholic Health Services’ Assisted Living Facilities aim to foster as much autonomy as the resident is capable of.  Assisted Living provides a balance of residential living, medical and recreational services, and assistance with day-to-day living activities.

What is Assisted Living?
Assisted living facilities are for people needing assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) but wishing to live as independently as possible for as long as possible.  Assisted living exists to bridge the gap between independent living and nursing homes.  Residents in assisted living centers are not able to live by themselves but do not require constant care either. Assisted living facilities offer help with ADLs such as eating, bathing, dressing, laundry, housekeeping, and assistance with medications.  Assisted living is not an alternative to a nursing home, but an intermediate level of long-term care appropriate for many seniors.

How Does an Assisted Living Facility Differ from a Nursing Home?                 
Nursing homes are designed to care for very frail people that are not able to care for themselves and have numerous health care requirements. Assisted living facilities are designed to assist elderly persons who are able to care for themselves except for a few activities. Assisted living facilities are often deemed necessary when the person in question needs help preparing meals, bathing, dressing, performing household chores, is sometimes confused, or is experiencing memory problems.

What services does an Assisted Living Facility provide?                            
Catholic Health Services’ Assisted Living Facility provides the following services:

• Three meals per day, served in a restaurant-like setting, with menus and daily snacks
• 24-hour supervision
• Personal care assistance (bathing, dressing, grooming, eating) 
• Housekeeping and laundry 
• Transportation to Publix and Wal-Mart
• Minor medical supervision, such as assistance with medication 
• Security and emergency call systems 
• Health and exercise programs 
• Social, cultural and educational activities
• Exercise rooms 
• Outdoor gardens 
• Library and game room
• Chapel 
• Special outings 
• Social services

What are our admission criteria guidelines?
Before we outline an individual plan of service, we evaluate each resident to determine his or her needs.

• Able to perform ADLs (activities of daily living) with supervision of assistance.
• Free from signs and symptoms of communicable disease. 
• Does not require 24-hour nursing supervision. 
• With respect to medication, the individual: 1) is capable of taking his/her own medication with or without supervision; or 2) facility provides assistance with self-administration of medication; or 3) resident or his/her legal representative contracts with a licensed third party to provide this service. 
• Individual has no pressure ulcers or skin breaks classified as Stage 2,3 or 4 
• Individual's dietary needs can be met. 
• Individual is able to participate in activities. 
• Individual is capable of self-preservation in an emergency involving immediate evacuation of the building. 
• Individual is not bed-ridden. 
• Individual has not been determined incapacitated or, if so, has a legal guardian to make decisions. 
• Individual is not a danger to himself/herself or others as determined by a licensed mental health professional or health care provider. 
• Individual does not require licensed professional mental health treatment on a 24 hour a day basis. 
• Individual is at least 18 years of age. 

Can Assisted Living Facilities for seniors meet special needs?
Catholic Health Services’ Assisted Living Facilities can handle special needs, such as:

• Cognitive disabilities
• Short-term care
• Respite Care (to give regular caregivers a break)
• Interim medical care after a hospital stay
• Dementia
• Parkinson's
• Terminal illnesses (Hospice Care)

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