Making a change from living alone to living in an assisted living facility is a natural transition for a lot of senior citizens who need a bit of extra help with their daily care needs. This change in life can bring about a lot of questions and concerns for both the prospective resident and the resident's family members. Here is a look at some of the things people tend to ask about assisted living care and how things work. 

How long do most people stay in an assisted living facility?

Those who enter an assisted living facility may or may not stay long term. Many transition from assisted living facilities to nursing homes if their health deteriorates and they need more health-related care. The average length of time people stay in these facilities tends to be about 28 months, according to My Life Site. Of course, individual circumstances will vary, so some people may live in assisted living for many years, and some may have shorter stays of just a few months. Assisted care facilities don't necessarily have time limits, but they do have basic levels of assistance, so when care needs move beyond what is available, a resident may have to go elsewhere. 

How does memory care differ from assisted living?

In general, assisted living facilities cater to adults who are still capable of living independently, but they do need a little assistance with things like cleaning, personal grooming, and meals. Those who have illnesses like dementia usually need closer monitoring and a higher level of care, which means not every assisted living facility is equipped or staffed to handle those who have memory problems. Memory care is a type of assisted living that does have the necessary staff to care for people who have issues with things like dementia, Alzheimer's, or other memory issues. 

What happens when a patient runs out of funding for assisted living care?

Assisted living costs can be covered by various sources, both government-funded and private. Most patients who enter these facilities have some of the cost covered by their insurance provider and make up the rest with either private retirement funds or family funding. If something happens and the funds to cover care are no longer available, a patient will be given a certain amount of time to find other arrangements. Every effort will be made to help residents in a tight spot find alternative arrangements. 

For more information, reach out to companies like Wellspring Meadows Assisted Living.

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