Article: Is Assisted Living the Right Choice? Texas Type B Assisted Living

Is Assisted Living the Right Choice?
Choosing a Texas Assisted Living Facility

The Assisted Living Federation of America defines assisted living as a senior living option that combines housing, support services and health care, as needed. Assisted living is designed for individuals who require assistance with everyday activities such as meals, medication management or assistance, bathing, dressing and transportation.

Assisted living facility may seem like a place where your older relatives no longer able to manage their daily tasks. You'll notice that for all the help they require, and therefore it is important that they live in the care of people who can look after them all the time. texas assisted living

However, the cost for assisted living is very high. It costs somewhere between $1500 to $5000 per month, depending on theLocation of the facility, the quality of the facilities and services available.

Some residents may have memory disorders including Alzheimer's, or they may need help with mobility, incontinence or other challenges. Residents are assessed upon move in, or any time there is a change in condition. The assessment is used to develop an Individualized Service Plan.

In Texas, assisted living facilities are licensed according to size, type and building safety features. Type B facilities offer the widest range of services and options. There are several assisted living facilities throughout Texas including Abilene, Austin, Burleson, Cedar Hill, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, North Richland Hills, Plano and The Woodlands.

They are regulated by the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS). Health surveyors conduct annual, unannounced visits to evaluate compliance with minimum standards for training, staffing, food safety, privacy, medications, infection control and accident avoidance. Complaints about abuse, neglect and exploitation are prioritized and conducted as needed. Life Safety Code surveyors inspect the building and conduct regular fire safety inspections.

All assisted living facilities provide food, assistance with daily hygiene and medication supervision. Type B facilities, however, serve residents with more physical limitations than other assisted living facilities and are required to have staff awake and available throughout the night. Although residents in a Type B assisted living cannot be bedridden, they can rely on wheelchairs to move about and need help transferring. Residents in a Type B facility may also be cognitively or physically unable to follow directions during an emergency, which means the building must meet higher fire and safety standards.

Type B assisted living facilities that specialize in caring for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia can apply for Alzheimer's Certification. The staff receives additional, ongoing training to work with cognitive impairments, and the facility must meet additional requirements related to safety, resident assessment and activities. Alzheimer's certification can apply to a unit or an entire facility. A "secured unit" is one that has additional safety features to prevent elopement or wandering.

The size of a Type B facility refers to the number of licensed beds. A small assisted living facility is licensed to care for four to 16 residents; it might occupy a house in residential neighborhood as long as it meets fire and safety requirements. Large assisted living facilities house more than 16 residents and the rooms may seem more like individual apartments.

texas assisted living

DISCLAIMER: Links to other websites or references to products, services or publications do not imply the endorsement or approval of such websites, products, services or publications by Elder Options of Texas. The determination of the need for senior care services and the choice of a facility is an extremely important decision. Please make your own independent investigation.