The Evolution of Facilities for Alzheimer’s in America
There are a lot of assisted living facilities for Alzheimer’s that exist all over the U.S. nowadays. The National Survey of Residential Care Facilities stated that there are more than 31,000. With that said, there are almost a million seniors living in these facilities.
Brief history of assisted living facilities
Evidence that senior care homes should be reevaluated began to rise in the 1970s. Seniors during that time only had 2 options when they needed care. This involved hiring of a medical professional such as visiting the nurse or a family caregiver to provide on-call assistance and entering a nursing home.
However, getting admitted to a nursing home is not what most senior would wish for particularly with rumors of mistreatment in these facilities. In fact, more seniors were able to age only in their homes amid the growth of advances in medicine.
Dr. Keren Brown Wilson, the founder of the modern concept of assisting living, is responsible for having examined the negative connotations of nursing homes in the mid-1970s. These include the lack of privacy and the use of communal bathrooms.
Wilson was able to conceptualize a way for seniors to remain respected and independent while being able to receive the required level of care they need. In 1981, the Park Place in Portland, Oregon became the first modern assisted living facility known today.
The facility offered residents the private rooms with doors that locked, community areas for social interaction, and 24-hour staffing in the event of medical emergencies.
The evolution of assisted living facilities for Alzheimer’s
There was a notable shift in senior housing that started in 1979-1985. This initiated the shift in the service capacity and consumer-centered care model. More distinguishable kinds of assisted living communities were created in 1986-1993. These include health care, housing, hospitality, and hybrid living communities.
By 1994-2000, this quality of care became the ideal prototype for assisted living facilities with influence from Wall street. Moreover, the eruption of chronic illnesses, exploding boomer market, and longer lifespans, calls for a need of growth. Assisted living facilities are re-examining and reorganizing its standards to fit the evolving needs of senior populations.
Senior living facilities nowadays
For people who want to age independently and safely, assisted living facilities are a perfect option these days. Assisted living, defined by the Assisted Living Federation of America, is long-term care combining health care, housing, and support services.
Assisted living facilities are here for seniors who can live independently, but are finding themselves needing extra help with daily activities.
However, the terms used to describe assisted living have also evolved. For instance, seniors are not patients but residents. Private rooms or suites are now a normalcy in assisted living facilities instead of assigned beds.
Assisted living communities, such as facilities for Alzheimer’s, are among the fastest growing care options for seniors. Home-like settings are also available for seniors, which include all levels of assistance, from minimal care to more intensive option.
Looking for a reliable assisted living facility for your loved one with Alzheimer’s? Click here to be redirected to our memory care page and see why Oxbow Living is the perfect choice for you.
Oxbow Living offers Assisted Living & Memory Care out of Nebraska and to the Surrounding Cities: Ashland, South Bend, Greenwood, Murdock, Elmwood, Ithaca, Mead
