The Assisted Living industry provides a valuable service to many families. The industry also employs caring individuals who do great work for many families across America. And these individuals are often underpaid, making what they do an honorable profession.
But I do have two criticisms of Assisted Living. (1) the industry often presents itself as the "only" and "best solution" for families and (2) the industry is too sensitive to criticism.
I've visited many Assisted Living facilities, taken formal tours, spoken with "sales associates" and personally know some residents and their families. I also have some of my own family in Assisted Living. So while I am not an expert on Assisted Living, I do feel I'm able to speak objectively and credibly about this subject.
The Only and Best Solution
Most experts agree that it's time to consider Assisted Living placement for a loved one when their "safety is in question and their ability to perform Activities of Daily Living". The key word here is "consider". What Assisted Living too often tells families is it's the best decision and that keeping the aging loved one at home is a bad idea. But this is not always true. Many elderly people can live safely at home from the time of needing minor assistance with daily tasks all the way to end of life. This is possible with the help of inhome caregivers (that at some point live with the elderly individual), visiting nurses and hospice. There are many reputable companies who provide these services and in fact, keeping your loved one at home can sometimes be less expensive than Assisted Living or Nursing Homes. What about socialization? Assisted Living will often use this as a reason to place the elderly person into the more "social" Assisted Living community. Maybe, but older people who choose to live alone in their home can get plenty of socialization by taking advantage of local senior centers (many of which offer free transportation) and companion services who come to the person's home. Again, very affordable options.
Here is a good (and objective) article on the various care options available for seniors, titled Care Options for Your Aging Loved One: How to Make the Right Decisions
Too Sensitive to Criticism
Every time there is a negative story on Assisted Living, the industry's reaction is to gang up on the reporter saying what an injustice has been done, rather than an honest and objective acknowledgment to the fact that yes, there are problems and we are doing all we can to address them. In a very bizarre (and negative) story about patient neglect at an Assisted Living facility in California, the spokesperson for the facility denied the allegations (nothing wrong with that if she truly believes they are false) but went on to say "we take care of our residents, and find this negative publicity to be a disheartening affront to our professional caregivers and most especially to our residents and their loved ones." Something happened. Acknowledge there may be a problem and pledge to fix it.
Anyway, as I said, I support Assisted Living. With the aging of America, the country needs Assisted Living. But don't give families such a hard sell and be a little more open to criticism. It will do your industry good and the public will consider you more credible.
