ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES

WHAT IS AN ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY?

• In Connecticut, an assisted living facility is a managed residential community where supportive services are provided to residents by an entity that is licensed by the Connecticut Department of Public Health as an Assisted Living Services Agency (ALSA).
• Managed residential communities may hold a license as an ALSA, or they may provide supportive services through contracts with a licensed ALSA.
• An ALSA provides residents assistance with activities of daily living and may also provide nursing services and medication management.
• An ALSA is responsible for staffing a registered nurse that is on call 24 hours per day and ensuring that the managed residential community provides other core services, such as laundry, transportation and housekeeping services, meals, recreational activities, maintenance, and 24 hour security.
• An assisted living facility must also employ a resident services coordinator and supply emergency call systems and onsite washers and dryers.
• Assisted living facilities generally offer apartment style accommodations with walk in showers, wide doors for wheelchair access, emergency call systems and other special amenities.
• Residents typically pay monthly fees.

• Residents are usually older adults – ages 60+. They may be completely independent, but usually need help with one or more activities of daily living.
• Residents may have chronic and stable conditions, including mental health and cognitive conditions.

SUBSIDIZED ASSISTED LIVING

In Connecticut, the State Dept. of Social Services administers the Conn. Home Care Program for Elders which provides funding for assisted living services for low-income seniors, http://www.ct.gov/dss/LIB/dss/pdfs/chcpe_052002.pdf.

• National Center for Assisted Living, http://www.ncal.org/consumer/thinking.htm

• United States Administration on Aging, http://www.aoa.gov/eldfam/Housing/Housing_Services/HH_Assisted_Living.asp
  

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SOURCE: Conn. Department of Social Services, "Housing Options Available in Connecticut for Seniors"
PREPARED BY: 211/rj
CONTENT LAST REVIEWED: April2007