Assisted Living

Chapter 53

Assisted Living

Objectives

• Define the key terms and key abbreviations in this chapter.

• Describe the purpose of assisted living.

• Describe assisted living residents and their rights.

• Identify the types of assisted living residences and the living areas offered.

• Describe requirements and features of assisted living units.

• Describe the requirements for assisted living staff.

• Describe the usual needs and abilities of assisted living residents.

• Describe an assisted living service plan.

• Explain how to safely assist with meals, housekeeping, and laundry.

• Explain how to assist with drugs.

• Identify the reasons for transferring, discharging, or evicting a person.

• Explain how to promote PRIDE in the person, the family, and yourself.

Key Terms

assisted living A housing option for older persons who need help with activities of daily living but do not need constant care

medication reminder Reminding the person to take drugs, observing them being taken as prescribed, and recording that they were taken

service plan A written plan listing the services needed, how much help is needed, and who provides services

Key Abbreviations

ADL	Activities of daily living
ALR	Assisted living residence

Many older people cannot or do not want to live alone. Some need help with self-care or taking drugs. Some have physical or cognitive problems and disabilities. Assisted living is a housing option for older persons who need help with activities of daily living (ADL) but do not need constant care.

Assisted living residences (ALRs) offer quality of life with independence, companionship, and social involvement. A home-like setting is provided.

ALRs may be part of a retirement community, nursing center, senior citizen housing, or a stand-alone facility. Licensing requirements and residents’ rights vary from state to state.

See Promoting Safety and Comfort: Assisted Living.

Promoting Safety and Comfort

Assisted Living

Safety

Residents have the same diseases and illnesses as persons at home, in hospitals, and in nursing centers. Infections are risks. This includes sexually transmitted and other communicable diseases. Follow Standard Precautions and the Bloodborne Pathogen Standard when in contact with blood, body fluids, secretions, and excretions, or when contact with potentially contaminated items and surfaces is likely.

Assisted Living Residents

Assisted living residents do not have complex medical problems and do not need 24-hour nursing care. However, they usually need some help with 1 or more ADL.

• Personal care—bathing, dressing, grooming, elimination

• Meals—cooking, eating

• Taking drugs

• Housekeeping

• Personal safety

• Transportation

Mobility is often a requirement. The person walks or uses a wheelchair or motor scooter. The person is able to leave the building in an emergency. Stable health also is required. Only limited health care or treatment is needed.

Resident Rights

ALR residents have rights and liberties as United States citizens. They also gain special rights under state laws and rules (Box 53-1) for ALRs. Such rights are similar to those in Chapter 2. If unable to exercise his or her rights, family members, legal representatives, or ombudsmen act on the person’s behalf.

Box 53-1

Assisted Living Resident Rights

A resident has the right to:

• Not be discriminated against based on race, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, or diagnosis.

• Receive ALR services that support and respect the person’s individuality, choices, strengths, and abilities.

• Receive privacy in:

• Personal care

• Correspondence, communication, and visits

• Financial and personal matters

• Maintain, use, and display personal items. Such items must not pose a safety hazard.

• Take part in or refuse to take part in activities—social, recreational, rehabilitative, religious, political, community.

• Review his or her medical record.

• Take part in developing a service plan. The resident may have his or her family or representative involved.

• Have help from others (family, representative) in understanding, protecting, or exercising resident rights.

Modified from Resident Rights, Arizona Administrative Code (R9-10-810).

ALR Services and Living Areas

Assisted living residences usually offer:

• 3 meals a day

• Help with ADL—bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, eating, walking

• Housekeeping, laundry, and maintenance

• A 24-hour communications system for an emergency or to call for help

• 24-hour security and supervision

• Transportation

• Social, educational, recreational, and spiritual services

• Help with shopping, banking, and money management

• Some health services

• Exercise and wellness programs

• Medication (drug) management or help taking drugs

• Supervision for persons with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), dementia, or other disabilities

Living areas vary. A small apartment has a bedroom, bathroom, living area, kitchen, and laundry areas (Figs. 53-1 and 53-2). Some people just want a bedroom and bathroom. Box 53-2, p. 824 lists the requirements and features of assisted living units.

FIGURE 53-1 A living area in an assisted living apartment.

FIGURE 53-2 A kitchen in an assisted living apartment.

Box 53-2

Assisted Living Units

Required Features

• A door that locks; the person keeps a key

• A telephone jack

• A 24-hour emergency communication system in the person’s room

• A window or door that provides natural light

• Wheelchair access

• Lighted common areas

• A window or door that allows safe exit in an emergency

• A mailbox for each person

• A bathroom that provides privacy

• A sink in the bathroom or in the next room

• A bathtub or shower that has a shower curtain and non-slip surfaces

• Ventilation or a window that opens

• Grab bars for the toilet and bathtub or shower

• Other assistive devices needed for safety and identified in the service plan

• Smoke alarms and a fire sprinkler system

• A bed (frame and mattress) that is clean and in good repair

• General and task lighting

• An easy chair

• A table and chair for meals

• Adjustable window covers that provide privacy

• A dresser or storage space for clothing and personal items

• Appliances for food—sink, stove, refrigerator with freezer, and storage for food and cooking items

Environment Requirements

• The ALR is clean, safe, orderly, odor-free, and in good repair.

• The ALR is free of insects and rodents.

• Garbage is stored in covered containers lined with plastic bags. Bags are removed at least once a week.

• Hot water temperatures are no higher than 120°F (Fahrenheit).

• The hot and cold water supply meets hygiene needs.

• Bathrooms have toilet paper, soap, and cloth towels, paper towels, or a hand dryer.

• Clean linens are handled, transported, and stored to prevent contamination.

• Soiled linen and clothing are stored in closed containers away from food, kitchen, and dining areas.

• Oxygen containers are stored according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

• Cleaning solutions, insecticides, and other hazardous substances are stored in their original containers. They are in locked cabinets in rooms separate from food, dining areas, and drugs.

• Pets and animals are controlled to protect residents and maintain sanitation.

• Employees have access to a first aid kit.

See Focus on Long-Term Care and Home Care: ALR Services and Living Areas, p. 824.

Focus on Long-Term Care and Home Care

ALR Services and Living Areas

Home Care

Unlike assisted living residents, home care patients may still need medical care. They may need help with:

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Apr 13, 2017 | Posted by admin in NURSING | Comments Off

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