Seniors For Living

We generally know what to expect of a hospital: it’s typically a sterile environment that, depending on the location and time of day, may have quiet halls or waiting rooms or the complete opposite. There are doctors, nurses, surgeons, assistants, custodians, and foodservice workers. When we go to see a doctor, the same general routine follows, no matter what the nature of the appointment is: sign in, wait, a nurse marks your height, weight and blood pressure, wait again.

What about assisted living? Do we know what to expect of an assisted living community? Do we know what happens on a typical day there? Do we know who is employed there?

A recent article on the Senior Housing News site suggests that assisted living needs a model. Though the piece purports this level of care as an “obvious solution” over readmission to a hospital, there is a gap between consumer and provider education about assisted living, and no standardized means for measuring quality care outcomes. (This of course is likely a function of having each state regulate assisted living differently.)

Industry leaders are calling for the education of key hospital staffers and decision-makers on the viability of assisted living as an option for certain eligible/appropriate patients. They are also looking for ways to establish metrics and measure outcomes.

Your turn: Do you think assisted living needs a model? What does it look like, in your opinion?