ALFA and Senior Living Public Policy
One issue
that seems to be highly important in today’s society is care for senior
citizens once they are no longer able to care for themselves. There are
multiple options for senior care, one of which is assisted living. Assisted
living facilities are typically communities in which each person has their own
house or apartment so they feel as though they still have control and the staff
help with the activities required in daily life such as cooking, bathing, or
getting dressed, although some facilities are buildings similar to a hospital
when the patients have rooms and the staff are a little more involved than
those in the communities. ALFA, the assisted living federation of America, is a
federation that is committed to educating senior living and assisted living
communities and businesses throughout the country of the regulations and
licensing requirements of their state. They also monitor the assisted living
statutes in each state and maintain contact information with each licensing
organization so that care providers have easy access to information needed to
comply with laws and regulations and also so that they can provide care for
their residents. Assisted living is mainly regulated on a state level, but some
things are still regulated at a federal level such as creating legislation
that’s in the best interest of older Americans. ALFA is particularly concerned
with developing policies that ensure effective and accessible long term
services for and protect seniors from financial, physical, and emotional abuse.
As well as encourage progress in fighting diseases that affect the senior
population. The main goal of this organization is to make sure that seniors
everywhere have a choice to dignity, independence, quality of life and affordable
services and supports.
Assisted living is a long term care option preferred by many people and their families because of resident choice, dignity, and privacy. Assisted living communities provide 24hr staffing and services including daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and medication administration. Most assisted living communities provide additional assistance for people with Alzheimer’s and other mental diseases. In 2012 the federal government continued releasing data from the first nationally representative survey of assisted living facilities. The studies found that there were 31,100 facilities with 971,900 licensed beds serving 733,400 residents. This shows how assisted living has progressed over the years to accommodate more residents who have greater needs. 37 percent received assistance with ADLs (activities of daily life) and 42 percent had Alzheimer’s or other dementias. In 2012 18 states reported making regulatory, statutory, or policy changes regarding assisted living communities
Assisted living is a long term care option preferred by many people and their families because of resident choice, dignity, and privacy. Assisted living communities provide 24hr staffing and services including daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and medication administration. Most assisted living communities provide additional assistance for people with Alzheimer’s and other mental diseases. In 2012 the federal government continued releasing data from the first nationally representative survey of assisted living facilities. The studies found that there were 31,100 facilities with 971,900 licensed beds serving 733,400 residents. This shows how assisted living has progressed over the years to accommodate more residents who have greater needs. 37 percent received assistance with ADLs (activities of daily life) and 42 percent had Alzheimer’s or other dementias. In 2012 18 states reported making regulatory, statutory, or policy changes regarding assisted living communities
