"The staff at Helping Hand really took the time to get to know me and then found me the perfect match. We get along so well and she really helps me get so much done. I really look forward to the times when my caregiver is here. She is just a doll."
Mildred R.
Seattle, WA |
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Assisted Living vs Adult Family Homes
Added: 10/14/2011
There are many options for living outside of a senior's home; assisted living communities and adult family homes (AFH) meet residents physical needs in the area of activities of daily living and partner that with housekeeping, meals and social programs. There are hundreds of adult family homes (AFH) within the Seattle area. They are in many neighborhoods, you may not even know that the home down the street is an adult family home. They are designed to give the resident the feeling that they are at home with a few friends. It is common for the home to range between 4 to 6 residents. At an AFH the residents may have a private room or share a room with one other resident. The bathrooms are often shared. There is a premium price on bedrooms with a private bath. Meals are served and enjoyed family style. Activities will vary. With one staff on duty at a time in most homes, there is a focus on care needs first. Residents are usually gathered in a common room during the day to enjoy conversation, but structured activity programs may not be a focus. There are advantages and draw backs to this style of living. The advantages range from the small number of residents per staff member and the ability to meet specific care needs to staff consistency. The owners of the home often live on property and may be part of the care staff. The disadvantages are that with a small number of residents, is there someone for your loved one to relate to? Look for likenesses in cognition and interests. Meals may not have a choice or small variety. In assisted living communities choice is ample. Starting with rooms styles and moving along the spectrum to activities and and meals, residents have a lot to choose from. There is also a greater number of other residents to build a relationship with. The communities may be large and lavish or smaller with a cozy feel. Do not be swayed by the communities looks. Looks do not care for your loved one, people do. Communities are larger and are staffed according to care needs. In assisted living a staff member may have 20 residents to balance during a shift and there is usually less staff at night while most residents are sleeping. Staff turnover and consistency should be investigated. While costs at an AFH are most often a flat rate, the costs at an assisted living community will vary with each person. The assisted living communities separate room & board costs from care fees and may have a move in fee on top of that. Care fees will change as needs increase. All costs must be disclosed to you up front. Assessments for a move in should be free. No matter where you look, ask questions. Drop in without an appointment and look around. Let your senses tell you the story of the community. The community or AFH should not smell, period. Talk to residents and families that you see. Do the residents look clean and well groomed? Do they look happy? Is there something going on to stimulate their minds and creativity? Look at the interactions between staff and residents. Do the staff talk face to face with their residents? Visit during a meal to see what the food looks like. Is it appetizing to you? Better yet, stay for a meal. If you need assistance with this overwhelming task, call one of our staff members who will connect you with people we trust to take expert care of you in this exploration. From our family to yours....
Keywords:assisted living, adult family homes
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About A Helping Hand's Blog
It is an absolute honor to take care of our clients and their families. We understand having valuable resources at your fingertips will help you make informed decisions about difficult circumstances. With this in mind, we created the A Helping Hand Blog with the goal of sharing important information about senior issues and concerns. As we continue to add tips and educational content to our blog, we hope that you will share with us your questions and information you would find especially valuable. Don’t hesitate to call us at 1-877-281-7111 or leave a comment.
Blog Contributors
Angelia Brigance, General Manager - Experiencing the life challenges of seniors from both sides of the table has given me a wealth of knowledge that I love to share. With a Master's in Psychology, I have been a trainer in leadership, communications, team building, psychotropic drugs & behavior, senior lifestyles, and dementia care. I spent six years in senior care as a family member before making this a career. I have now been working in senior care for over eighteen years in skilled nursing, assisted living, independent living, and now homecare.
Steven Jungk, A Helping Hand Founder – Serving as a direct care provider (Certified Nursing Assistant) while in college, I have been involved with senior care since the mid 1990’s. After graduating from WSU, I worked as a social worker in a skilled nursing/rehab center followed by extensive work in the in-home care industry. I founded A Helping Hand in 2003, to provide the quality of care at home that I believe all seniors deserve. Since then, we have become a thriving home care agency providing care to individuals throughout the northwest.
Archive
Assisted Living vs Adult Family Homes
Senior Living Options: Skilled Nursing/ Rehabilitation
At Home Lifeline Technology
Dementia : Validation Therapy
The Dementia Umbrella
Fall Prevention
Every day life: Activities of Daily Living
Monitoring Medication Intake
Introducing A Helping Hand Blog
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