I remember when I began my career in long-term care, residents lined up in hallway, seated in geri-chairs, wheelchairs and worse, merry walkers! We have come a long way from those days, thank goodness! That said, when I visit assisted living centers today I can’t help but remember those days. Gone are the “social model” assisted living centers, today the acuity is more like a nursing home! The changing resident acuity in assisted living has truly transformed the landscape.

Multiple factors have pushed assisted living care delivery into higher acuity. Operators have said older adults are waiting longer to seek out senior living services, meaning they are farther along in their aging journey when they move into a community. ‘Significantly More Difficult’: Assisted Living Operators Grapple With Changing Resident Acuity – Senior Housing News Makes total sense, right? But what do we expect once we arrive at our new home?

Let me begin by saying perception is everything but I was disheartened when I read an article written by a family member of a 96-year-old resident. The family found the “place” that was “good on paper,” close to family, private rooms with a mountain view, and seemed nice. The cost for a private room was a fraction of what it would cost to pay a home care aide full-time. What $11K a Month Gets You in Assisted Living: Very Little In an interview for the Guardian the family states their father fell numerous times, often when trying to get to the bathroom. One day the family arrived to find him on the floor in a fetal position. When asked if he was okay, he said he had been on the floor for 20 minutes. In the US, not even $11,000 a month can buy you dignity at the end of your life This family’s experience is not what we want to see, we can do better and most of our communities do. With the changing resident acuity in assisted living, now is the time to reflect on how we meet those needs head-on. Take a few minutes to open and read the links provided, they tell a story, one that you and your community do not want to be included in.

Stay well and stay informed!