Senior Living Blog

Understanding the Different Levels of Care in Assisted Living: What Your Parent Might Need

Written by Allegro Staff Writer | Nov 11, 2024 2:00:00 PM

As our parents age, it’s common for them to eventually need additional assistance with personal care or daily tasks.

Assisted living communities are an excellent option for older adults and families who need assistance and support. They are designed for older adults who value their independence and don’t require extensive medical care but need help with personal care. According to the National Center for Assisted Living, more than 30,000 assisted living communities are in the United States. These communities vary in terms of services, amenities, and levels of care, which can be overwhelming and confusing for families. Understanding the different levels of care and considering your parents’ preferences and comfort is the first step to choosing an assisted living community that meets their needs.

Understanding Assisted Living Levels of Care

Assisted living communities provide personalized levels of care designed to meet the unique needs and preferences of seniors. These communities are structured to accommodate residents' current and future needs, promoting independence while offering various levels of care and assistance as needed.

Understanding the different levels of care in assisted living communities is vital to your loved one's health, wellness, and happiness.

High-quality assisted living communities like Allegro understand that seniors need a broad range of programming and care options that meet their varied lifestyles and backgrounds.

The following care options can be tailored to your loved ones needs, whether they need little to no supervision with personal care, daily supervision and assistance, personal companionship, or mobility assistance.

Allegro care options include:

  • Personal care: help with activities of daily level (ADLs), bathing, showering, dressing, grooming, toileting, meal preparation, and eating
  • Medication management: daily medication reminders and management
  • Daily tasks: Light housekeeping, personal laundry, cleaning, apartment maintenance, and repairs
  • Memory care: a structured and safe environment with personally tailored programs and activities by specially trained professionals tailored to each memory care resident’s needs

Determining The Correct Level of Care in Assisted Living

Determining the care level for assisted living residents new to a community is a complex process. Selecting the right level of care for a parent involves evaluating their physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs. Without understanding the choices available, it can be challenging to determine which level of care will benefit them.

Before moving into an assisted living community, a formal evaluation will be completed by a healthcare professional at your senior living community to determine an accurate care level. This assessment will give you a general idea of the best option. It would help if you also spoke with your parents and their physician to understand their care needs as well.

Explore Allegro Assisted Living Near You

Seniors require various levels of care throughout their lifetime and assisted living communities are designed to adapt to their changing needs. Understanding the different levels of care in assisted living is vital to determining the best option for your parents.

Before choosing an assisted living community for a parent, it’s crucial to understand the different levels of care, assess their needs, and select a community that meets their physical, emotional, cognitive, and social requirements.

Finding the right assisted living community is about striking a balance between supporting your parent’s independence and ensuring their health and well-being.

Fortunately, Allegro Senior Living offers an active lifestyle, a connection to the outside community, and avenues to continue to explore skills and hobbies. Our assisted living communities offer a broad range of programming to the varied lifestyles and backgrounds of the residents we serve.

We offer choices, foster independence, promote individuality, and stimulate the spirit of everyone. If you have more questions about assisted living for your parents, or need help understanding the different levels of care, reach out to our helpful advisors today! We also have a FREE guide that can help you determine what is the next best step for your loved one. Download the Family Decision Toolkit today!