Assisted Living has so much to offer in terms of emotional and physical support, including different levels of care within the community. Levels of Care may look different from one community to another, but all aim to provide residents with the perfect amount of care they require, while continuing to keep them as independent as possible. Keep in mind that the level of care your loved one will be receiving is almost always determined by a comprehensive assessment that is given to each resident upon admission and again periodically throughout their journey in assisted living. At Sunset Senior Communities, we offer four levels of care. Let’s take a closer look at each of these levels of care in assisted living.
Before beginning, it is important to acknowledge that the levels of care we offer at Sunset are simply a guide that enables us to provide the best possible care. We recognize that each senior we serve is unique and will likely not fit into just one of these levels completely, which is why in addition, each resident throughout our communities has a personalized life plan.
Level I
A resident receiving Level I care in assisted living will be mostly independent. Assistance will look very minimal and will likely be confined to medication administration and basic cueing and reminding. They might need occasional assistance with transfers or ambulation and minimal help with activities of daily living. The primary benefits of Level I care is that the resident receives 24-hour monitoring, all meals and snacks, and regular housekeeping and laundry services. They’re also encouraged to participate in all of the activities offered in assisted living. We find that our residents receiving Level I care socially thrive in the assisted living setting!
Level II
Level II care in assisted living provides all the benefits of Level I care and then some! A resident receiving this level of care will require moderate assistance with activities of daily living. Additionally, they will likely require minimal to moderate assistance with transfers and ambulation. What primarily differentiates Level I and Level II care is the additional assistance needed with activities of daily living (ADLs).
Some examples of ADLs include:
- Bathing
- Dressing
- Dining
- Grooming
- Toileting
Level III
When a resident falls under Level III care in assisted living, their physical needs have increased, and they likely need moderate to maximum assistance with transfers and ambulation. This might come in the form of an assist from specially trained caregivers, or with the use of a Hoyer Lift. We also see an increased need for assistance in completing activities of daily living. Many residents receiving Level III care benefit from the use of wheelchairs, as this can be a good way for them to maneuver around the community and still feel a sense of independence.
Level IV
Level IV care in assisted living is the highest possible care offered at Sunset Senior Communities. Residents who receive Level IV care need maximum assistance with ambulation and transfers, as well as all activities of daily living. It is also common at this stage for a resident to be bed bound and require round-the-clock care. Additional services, like hospice or certified home care, can act as supplemental care if a resident requires more than we can provide. At Sunset, we partner with Emmanuel Hospice. They are a great resource and advocate for both seniors and their loved ones.
How Sunset Ensures Quality Care at Each Level
Staff Training
It is imperative that our staff are properly trained to provide quality care for all residents, regardless of the level of care they require. Our commitment to staff training does not end after their first few weeks on the job but continues throughout their time at Sunset.
Ongoing Capital Projects
Being able to provide a wide range of care for assisted living residents starts with having the necessary resources to do so. And as the senior living industry has changed, we have had to adjust the design of our buildings, so we can continue to give the best possible care. Our most recent capital project was just completed at our Christian Haven campus. Christian Haven, located in the heart of Grand Haven, joined the Sunset family back in 2022. It has been an exciting couple of years watching this building, originally constructed in the 1960s, go through such a transformation. While some of the updates were purely cosmetic, most of them focused on creating a community for seniors to safely receive all levels of care.
Some of these updates include:
- Shower rooms that are easily accessible for those who use wheelchairs and walkers.
- Sliding doors into bathrooms to remove the potential hazard of a swinging door.
- Lighting patterns specifically designed for those who suffer from vision loss or macular degeneration.
- A security system throughout the building that includes cameras, door alarms, and emergency pull cords.
- Hard surface flooring to minimize falls and allow for those who use wheelchairs and walkers to easily maneuver around the community.
Every assisted living community will look different in terms of care levels, so we encourage seniors and their loved ones to tour a variety of communities to ensure that they find the perfect fit. At Sunset, we’re here to help! If you would like additional information on our assisted living communities or would like to schedule a tour, please contact us at 616.457.2770 or fill out our website contact form.