Assisted living facilities provide various levels of care for seniors and individuals who may not be able to care for themselves. You can get more info about assisted living at the Senior Care Authority. They are senior care consultants that provide the advice you need when determining assisted living care for your loved ones.
Highest Level of Assisted Living
Level 3 assisted living care, also called enhanced assisted living, is considered to be the highest level of assisted care. It includes hands-on help with multiple ADLs during the day. Residents needing this level of care may often have varying degrees of memory loss or multiple physical impairments. Caregivers of people who need level 3 assisted living care will have to ensure regular doctor’s visits. They will have to administer medications, perform necessary medical treatments, handle frequent behavior changes, perform ADLs, and ensure the individual engages in recreational and social activities.
Other Assisted Living Cares
Besides the third level of assisted living care, there are other levels of care as well that providers can determine based on assessments like:
Level 1 Assisted Living Care
Also known as Low Level of Care, level 1 assisted living care is mostly for independent people that need occasional assistance for one or more health or personal care areas. For instance, they may require reminders to perform ADLs. They may also require a low level of supervision to ensure the ADLs are done safely and correctly. Caregivers may also have to help residents with regular doctor visits, easy medical treatments, and assistance with participating in social and recreational activities.
Level 2 Assisted Living Care
Level 2 Assisted Living Care is also called Moderate Level of Care. Individuals who need this level of care will require substantial assistance in one or more health or personal care areas. While they may be able to perform certain ADLs by themselves, they may need assistance from some others. For instance, they may be able to feed themselves but may need assistance getting on or off the toilet.
Memory Care
Memory care programs are a little different from the typical residential care plans. Memory care units in assisted living facilities help residents with memory loss issues or different forms of dementia like Alzheimer’s disease. Memory care programs are typically focused on the safety and engagement of the resident. The staff is trained to guide the resident in various activities that enable them to feel more independent.
How is Level of Care Determined?
A facility nurse or staff member at an assisted living facility will conduct an assessment as a pre-screening procedure for admission. The results of the assessment will help determine the level of care for the individual. The assessment will consider the individual’s physical and mental condition as well as their ability to perform ADLs. The following are the most common factors considered during the assessment:
Behavioral Condition
The assisted living staff will analyze the individual’s behavior to determine whether they can or cannot comply with the facility’s policies. The analysis will also help determine whether the individual will respond to directions from the staff and respect other staff members, residents, and property.
Mental Condition
The trained nurse or staff will assess the individual’s mental and cognitive condition to identify any signs of confusion or dementia. This assessment will also help determine how much staff may be required to assist the individual. People with dementia or confusion may need constant supervision.
Medical Requirements
The individual’s past medical history and evaluation from their current primary care physician will be needed to check for any medical requirements. The assisted living facility may also conduct an in-house medical exam. This is essential to determine if any medical conditions require special attention like hearing or vision problems, arthritis, incontinence, heart conditions, cancer, diabetes, or digestive disorders. Knowing the type of medical issues an individual has will enable the facility to anticipate medical care needs and be prepared in case of emergencies.
Personal Care and Hygiene Needs
Assisted living facilities will also assess an individual’s ability to take care of themselves. This includes bathing, grooming, hygiene, and other personal care like whether they can visit the bathroom unassisted or not.
Special Support Needs
This will document any special support that the individual may require, like oxygen assistance, a special diet, or mobility assistance.
While the initial assessment will help determine the level of care an individual needs, this care plan can be adjusted once the individual is admitted to the facility. The individual’s needs may change with time, and this may require an adjustment in the care plan.
