The assisted living facilities are suitable for seniors who desire to continue to live independently, but still need moderate assistance. They are actually something in between the nursing homes and the independent living. The residents of the assisted living centers can't manage to live by themselves, but they don't need constant care either.  These senior living establishments offer services like bathing, eating, laundry, dressing, and housekeeping, as well as assistance with medication. The majority of the facilities have medical centers, but the care the seniors receive here is not that of a nursing home.

Many of these establishments create a customized plan for each individual before admission. The senior or his / her family can decide upon the needs and requirements that should be guaranteed and fulfilled by the facility. The plan is usually subject to regular updates that will assure the resident gets appropriate care as his condition changes.

In the majority of the cases, people who live in assisted living facilities have a private apartment or studio and there is no medical monitoring equipment visible, as is usually the case in the nursing homes.  You should also note that the nursing personal may not be available at all times. All the household chores are done by the staff; the food is cooked on site and served at regular hours. Some of the facilities even boast about having a beauty parlor available for the residents.  The age groups of the residents are generally varied and all residents are encouraged to take part in social and cultural activities organized on site.

Some of the assisted living facilities are working in conjuncture with nursing homes and the resident can make a transition there if the circumstances require this. This is a helpful service that is offered, because the family will be spared of the trouble of doing new research for choosing the appropriate nursing home for the loved one.

When deciding to move a loved person in a facility that offers assisted living, the major concern of the family should be the welfare of the senior. It might be of course necessary to take into account the costs that this move implies, but in the long run, the needs of the elderly loved person in the family should come in first. There are numerous such facilities available in all states of the country and with some simple research anyone can find the right establishment for a loved parent or grandparent.