There are more than 30,000 assisted living communities in the United States and another 15,000 nursing homes. These facilities provide living assistance and healthcare to more than 818,000 Americans.
Unfortunately, not all assisted living communities are created equal. For this reason, it is vital for prospective residents to thoroughly research the level of healthcare provided at each. The good news is that there are some basic qualities to look for.
This article covers common standards that elevate the quality of healthcare in senior assisted living. This information will help you identify quality services for you or your loved one. Keep reading to learn more.
Common Challenges With Assisted Living Healthcare
First, it may be helpful to understand some of the challenges many senior homes face. While common, such deficits can be warning signs regarding the capabilities of an assisted living community. Here are the main ones to look out for.
Staffing Shortages and High Turnover
In general, the United States is facing a major need for healthcare workers. According to some reports, by the 2030s, the country could see a shortage of nearly 200,000 nurses and 124,000 physicians.
The assisted living community has not been spared from this effect. Fortunately, some facilities have implemented specific strategies for improving staff retention. For example, these include policies that help job satisfaction.
Funding and Reimbursement
Many assisted living facilities continue to face financial challenges. This often revolves around the limitations of Medicaid reimbursement.
The federal program is the main payer for nursing homes, covering more than 60 percent of all residents and 50 percent of long-term care services. That may sound like a good thing, but the challenge is that Medicaid reimbursement only covers between 70 and 80 percent of the actual cost of care.
This is coupled with financial hardships stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. Another difficulty is the generally low private insurance coverage among assisted living residents.
For these reasons, many of these communities have closed their doors. Others have had to develop innovative funding models. Examples include private partnerships to enhance healthcare at their facilities.
Technological Limitations
Technology is always changing. Many assisted living facilities have been slow to leverage telehealth, remote monitoring technology, or other digital health tools. This results in sub-par delivery of care. Sometimes this may be related to a lack of infrastructure or insufficient staff training.
Whatever the cause, these technological silos are widespread in the assisted living world. It is imperative to look for facilities that are up-to-speed on the ever-advancing world of technology in healthcare.
Identifying Quality of Healthcare in Senior Assisted Living
Beyond avoiding centers that face some of the major challenges described above, there are some positive traits to look for as well. Below are the main ones that can promote the quality of healthcare in senior assisted living.
Available Clinical Services
In general, the term “assisted living” usually refers to a higher level of care than what is available in “independent living.” It typically includes help with daily living. Examples include bathing, dressing, grooming, and managing medication. It also can include programs to promote independence and autonomy, while providing a safety of assistance.
Beyond this, available services can vary among facilities. Some may offer skilled nursing or memory care, while others do not. Others may offer respite care, or temporary relief for caregivers due to illness or injury.
The important thing is to ensure that the assisted living community offers all the healthcare services you require. Also, if you expect greater health demands in the future, ensure you select a community that offers the level of care you will need.
Staff Training Requirements
One major thing to look for when attempting to identify quality health services in an assisted living community is high training standards for healthcare staff. This includes both educational requirements and continuing education training.
Quality facilities will want to provide their staff with the tools necessary to deliver the highest level of care and using the most modern treatments and techniques. They will also want to ensure that healthcare staff are trained to respect the rights and dignity of residents.
Ask what requirements a facility requires of its healthcare workers. You also can ask about how they ensure self-care for staff, as well as their healthcare-staff-to-resident ratio. This will give you a sense of the general philosophy the center has regarding healthcare workers.
Resident Assessments and Care Planning
Another sign of a quality assisted living facility is that is has regular resident assessments and ongoing planning for care. Common assessments include those that look at general health, functionality, and psychosocial aptitude.
These help healthcare staff put together or adjust individualized care plans. This is proven to optimize health outcomes and minimize the potential for negative health outcomes.
Also, look for collaboration among different interdisciplinary care team members. These include nurses, social workers, therapists, dietary staff, caregivers, and other healthcare staff.
This is a strong sign that everyone is on the same page. It also means that all staff have relevant information for providing the best possible healthcare to every resident.
Quality Assurance and Oversight
Similarly, assisted living facilities should have quality assurance healthcare standards. This should include oversight policies and mechanisms to ensure the highest level of care.
Examples include ongoing monitoring and evaluations that can identify deficiencies in care. Areas of interest should include safety and emergency preparedness. Others are infection control, medication management oversight, and compliance monitoring.
The difference between a stellar assisted living facility and a mediocre one is that they will want to know where deficits exist so that they can address them. Ask about what programs exist to ensure that every day in the community is better than the last for every resident.
Learn More About the Quality of Healthcare in Assisted Senior Living Communities
Now that you understand what standards elevate the quality of healthcare in senior assisted living, you can find a location that is right for you or your loved one. A quality facility will be upfront with you about the services they offer and how they can best serve their residents.
At TerraBella Roswell, we have a long history of strong ties to the local community. We pride ourselves on combining a hometown feel with high-quality and affordable senior care. Reach out to us today to learn more.
