Ask Curtis: History of Senior Care

Dear Readers: Since starting my column last year, I have heard many misconceptions about today’s senior living facilities. Below is some information on the history of senior living facilities that I hope will help clear things up a bit.

1960’s & 1970’s – The term “Nursing Home” is first introduced. These facilities were generally very cramped, had a strong odor to them and care was questionable. Often paid for by Medicaid/Medicare – options were very limited to either family care or nursing homes.

1980’s&90’s- Often homes converted to senior living which would house 6-12 people, staffed usually by a couple. Provided more of a “home” atmosphere, however housing most times were cramped, and conditions were not always sanitary. Most did not offer night time care and due to needs to residents and often lack of properly trained staff, many complaints came about during this time.

Present – Today’s senior living, often referred to as “assisted living facilities”, offer single bedrooms with a private or shared bath that have a full time staff to help in residents’ personal needs from bathing, medications, exercise and eating. Most facilities offer social activities and have services brought in-house such as medical, dental and salon services.

The next generation of senior living is “independent living communities”. Offering residents who may need assistance, but not to the level of an assisted living facility, these new “independent” communities offer more of a true community feel. Spacious and homey, they offer a variety of housing options that include luxury apartments with all utilities, housekeeping and meals taken care of. They also offer extensive social activities which encourage not just resident participa- tion, but their families as well. Many times these independent communities also offer an assisted living facility option so that residents can one day transition from independent to assisted and not have to uproot and lose all their friends and things that they are familiar with. Residents would simply move to a different part of the same complex. Ashton Senior Living is proud to be one of the innovators of this new concept and offers both Independent, as well as Assisted Living communities. We understand that today’s senior living needs to address the whole person – medical, mental, personal and spiritual!

If you have questions or suggestions for Curtis, email him at: curtis@ashtonseniorliving.com