What is Assisted Living

Assisted living is the fastest growing segment of senior housing. Today in Ohio, over 16,000 older adults reside in assisted living communities. The average resident is in their mid 80’s and requires assistance with three or more activities of daily living.

Holzer Assisted Living communities are located in both Gallipolis and Jackson. These facilities provide a comfortable, homelike environment, along with security, independence, privacy, companionship, and physical and social well-being.

To learn more about how Holzer Assisted Living can benefit you and your loved ones or aging parents, please visit our web pages for Holzer Assisted Living in Gallipolis and Holzer Assisted Living in Jackson.

What is Assisted Living?

Today, people are living longer and healthier than ever before. Nevertheless, there comes a time when living on your own can be difficult, you require assistance, and new living arrangements must be considered. For some, this can mean arranging to live with children and grandchildren, for others it may mean the constant support available in a nursing home.

Assisted living is one choice which strives to help seniors maintain as much independence as possible while providing assistance when needed. A typical assisted living facility provides a room or small apartment, meals, social activities, a variety of support programs, often including health services, and 24-hour supervision.

Depending on the individual, assisted living may be a step on the way home after recovering from an illness or injury, or it may be a more permanent arrangement that meets an ongoing need for support and supervision.

Assisted living homes are very different from one another in size, appearance, and services. Costs vary, and it is important to research, talk with, and visit any assisted living facility you may be considering to determine if it is right for you.

At the Holzer Assisted Living facilities in Gallipolis and Jackson, our assisted living communities provide spacious private apartments in several styles, each with private bathrooms. The apartments are carpeted, and furnishings are provided by the residents in order to help create a homelike environment and continuing sense of independence. Residents able to drive may bring their own cars.

An experienced nursing staff and resident assistants are on duty 24 hours a day to provide healthcare and personal assistance with bathing, dressing, and medication administration. A medical director and physician are on staff to coordinate medical services and see residents as needed.

Three daily meals are served. There are activity programs, church groups, van rides, and outings. We strive to meet a variety of necessary services, including dietician services, a pharmacy, podiatry services, physical, occupational and speech therapy, and more. A community laundry is available.

Who Should Use Assisted Living?

Assisted Living is an ideal solution for

• Seniors who require some level of monitoring or supervision. This could be an ideal solution for aging parents.
• Elderly patients who require assistance, supervision, or nurse administration of medications.
• Those who are lonely and need socialization to remain healthy and engaged with life.
• Seniors who may require help with the activities of daily living, such as dressing, bathing, and grooming.
• Patients who are having problems with forgetfulness, confusion, or dementia.
• Loved ones for whom it is unsafe to remain at home alone.

There are common misconceptions about assisted living, including that assisted living is not appropriate for persons who require a wheel chair or walker. Some people do not realize that physical, occupational, and speech therapies are available, and still others believe that assisted living is not appropriate for a loved one if they have problems with incontinence.

An assisted living setting can be a welcoming and homelike experience for seniors and the elderly at many stages of both capability and disability. Holzer Assisted Living facilities are dedicated to providing a comfortable, homelike environment, along with security, independence, privacy, companionship, and physical and social well-being.

Who pays for Assisted Living?

Medicare dos not cover assisted living, nor does Ohio’s state Medicaid program. It is most common for assisted living to be a matter of private payment.

Holzer Assisted Living accepts Private Pay. In addition, veterans may be eligible for a veteran benefit to assist with care. Some personal insurances do make benefits available for assisted living.

The costs of assisted living can be significant, and you should carefully consider not only the services you or your loved need now, but whether additional services will be required over time, due to increasing disability or even the rising cost of living.

How Do I Know if a Loved One Needs Assisted Living?

As we grow older, our abilities and need for assistance changes over time. Some of us will not remember things as well as we once did, or may have trouble driving, taking our medications, or even need assistance with personal hygiene.

In thinking of your parents or an elderly loved one, do you have concerns with their physical health? Are they living with a chronic condition or disease that is difficult for them to deal with on their own? Do they have trouble walking and otherwise getting around, including rising from chairs and climbing stairs?

How is their medication use? Some people have difficulty maintaining a regimen of medication without supervision and do not get the right dosages on a proper schedule.

Are they able to dress, bathe, use a toilet, and perform daily grooming? The loss of such daily living skills as preparing meals, doing housework, and driving can be indicators of needed assistance.

Does your loved one show signs of confusion or disorientation? Have they been diagnosed with any cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s, depression, anxiety, or psychosis?

Many of these problems do not in themselves mean that assisted living is appropriate, as many difficulties can be addressed in different ways, from household modifications to a close family support group.

In order to determine the level of assistance needed, and whether Assisted Living is right for you, it is best to speak with a professional and have them help you in assessing the overall situation. At Holzer Assisted Living, we would be glad to work with you and help evaluate your needs, or the needs of your loved one. Please don’t hesitate to contact either our Gallipolis or Jackson facilities.

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