What is Assisted Living?

Jan 29, 2025 | Caregivers & Families, Senior Living

When researching care options for you or a senior loved one, you may wonder if assisted living would be the appropriate choice. And while more than 800,000 Americans live in assisted living communities, deciding to make the move can still be difficult. In this blog, we’ll answer the question “what is assisted living” and talk through some signs that might mean it’s time to consider this care option.

What is assisted living care?

In assisted living communities, there is an emphasis on creating an environment that promotes independence and overall quality of life. This begins with ensuring that care is provided for all activities of daily living. Activities of daily living, or ADLs, are important tasks we all do on a regular basis to take care of our body and overall wellbeing. As we age, completing these necessary tasks may become more difficult due to circumstances like decreased mobility or cognitive impairment. That is when an assisted living community steps in, so those necessary tasks are not neglected.  

 While providing care is the primary focus of assisted living, another important aspect is community. Our social circles tend to get smaller as we age, increasing the risk of isolation. In an assisted living community, residents lead vibrant social lives. Residents throughout Sunset Senior Communities enjoy activity calendars filled with everything from games and gardening to concerts and local outings. Learn more about the importance of socialization for seniors.

Examples of ADLs

Activities of daily living can include anything from eating and bathing to more complex tasks like managing money and cooking. Below is a list of some ADLs, separated into two groups – basic and instrumental. Basic ADLs are daily living tasks that you typically do every day that are essential to your physical survival and wellbeing. While Instrumental ADLs are tasks that require more advanced skills and support overall wellbeing, not just basic physical needs. And while this is not a comprehensive list, it should help you get an idea of what ADLs are and if you or your loved one is struggling to successfully complete them.

 Basic ADLs

  • Bathing
  • Personal hygiene and grooming
  • Eating and feeding
  • Dressing
  • Moving and transferring

 Instrumental ADLs

  • Managing money
  • Medication management
  • Communicating with others
  • Preparing meals
  • Managing health

 It’s important to note than some older adults only need help doing ADLs for a short period of time – for example, while recovering from surgery or an injury.

When should I consider making the move?

Recognizing that you or a senior loved one needs additional care can be difficult, especially because each situation is unique. A good indication that assisted living might be an appropriate next step is when you find difficulty in successfully completing ADLs. If you or a loved one is struggling to complete these tasks independently, there may be a need for some extra support. When ADLs are not being completed successfully, safety also becomes a concern. If you notice that you or your senior loved one is not quite as steady on their feet or is experiencing forgetfulness, it might be time to look into assisted living options.

 Caregiver burnout is also something to be mindful of when considering assisted living. Caregiver burnout is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion that happens while you’re taking care of someone else. As care needs increase, it becomes more likely that a primary caregiver will start experiencing signs of burnout. In cases of caregiver burnout, sometimes the move to assisted living is temporary – this is known as respite care.

 

Assisted living at Sunset

Experience assisted living at Sunset Senior Communities! We offer assisted living at all four of our campuses. Our assisted living provides four levels of care that cater to those living relatively independently through end of life. For more information or to schedule a tour, please fill out a website contact form or call 616.457.2770.