Assisted living facilities
Assisted Living Facilities
Assisted living facilities (pronunciation: /əˈsɪstɪd ˈlɪvɪŋ fəˈsɪlɪtiz/) are a type of residential care that provides personal care services, health care, and housing for individuals who may require assistance with daily living activities.
Etymology
The term "assisted living" originated in the early 1980s as an alternative to more institutional forms of care, such as nursing homes. The word "assisted" comes from the Latin word "assistere", meaning "to stand by", and "living" from the Old English word "lifian", meaning "to live". The term "facility" comes from the Latin word "facilitas", meaning "ease or convenience".
Description
Assisted living facilities offer a less restrictive environment than nursing homes, while providing a level of care that is higher than that offered by retirement communities. They are designed to help residents maintain as much independence as possible, while providing assistance with activities such as bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Related Terms
- Residential care: A type of long-term care facility that provides assistance with daily living activities.
- Nursing home: A type of residential care facility that provides a higher level of medical care.
- Retirement community: A residential community designed for older adults who are generally able to care for themselves.
- Activities of daily living: Basic tasks that an individual does on a daily basis, such as eating, bathing, and dressing.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Assisted living facilities
- Wikipedia's article - Assisted living facilities
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