Teton Sertoma Inc

Assisted living is a philosophy of care and services promoting independence and dignity. Assistance may include the administration or supervision of medication, or personal care services provided by a trained staff person. More than two-thirds of the states use the licensure term assisted living. Retirement villages and retirement communities, unlike retirement homes, offer separate and autonomous homes for residents. Assisted living emerged in the 1990s as an eldercare alternative on the continuum of care for seniors for whom Independent living is no longer appropriate but who do not need the 24-hour medical care provided by a nursing home. Staff is available twenty-four hours a day. A nursing home, convalescent home, Skilled Nursing Unit, care home or rest home provides a specific type of care for its residents. A nursing home may be a good choice if both medical and personal care needs have become too great to handle at home. A retirement home is a multi-residence housing facility intended for senior citizens. More than two-thirds of the states use the licensure term assisted living. Nursing Home residents include the elderly and younger adults with physical or mental disabilities. A retirement home differs from a nursing home primarily in the level of medical care given. Each state licensing agency has its own definition of the term it uses to describe assisted living.