Assisted Living

Assisted Living around the World: Understanding the Similarities and Differences

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It is common knowledge around the world that the United States has one of the best healthcare services and medical standards anywhere. It is especially true for senior care. The country puts a strong emphasis on assisted living facilities that offer excellent care without taking away independence.

 

But what is assisted living like in other parts of the world?

 

Here is what we know:

 

  • Many countries in Europe and Asia follow longstanding traditions that involve delegating long-term care to the women in the household.

 

In fact, in some cultures, taking care of the elderly in the family were obligations related to childbirth or homemaking. It’s not uncommon to see families in shared living arrangements. This makes taking care of their elderly easier and saves money.

 

  • Many developed countries still have most elderly living in their own homes as opposed to being in assisted living.

 

Seniors who need specialized care due to a medical condition are sent to a hospital instead of senior care. Countries like France and Japan don’t even have facilities that are classified as nursing homes.

 

  • The United Kingdom has assisted living facilities, but admission isn’t based on the needs of a resident but on reimbursement.

 

Before getting into senior care, seniors go through evaluation by a local council according to rules and standards. Senior care facilities in the UK are regulated by different organizations in England, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland.

 

  • Italy’s Universal Health Care system doesn’t cover long-term care for seniors.

 

Therefore most seniors stay at home rather than in assisted living. Family members will normally care for them.

 

If they don’t have any family members to take this responsibility, seniors will be placed in an acute hospital instead.

 

  • Denmark’s Universal Health Care system includes senior care.

 

While the country saw a huge boom in assisted living facilities in the 50s and 60s, there has been a decline in construction ever since. There is now a stricter standard for admitting residents into these facilities.

 

Before admition into assisted living seniors go through an evolution to determine eligibility. This is also evident in neighboring countries like the Netherlands.

 

Finally, Switzerland is promoting home-based care of seniors causing a huge drop in senior care facilities in the country.

 

This is also the same with Sweden where most seniors prefer to stay at home rather than being in assisted living.

 

However, there has been a shift in senior care in Sweden because more patients are now moving into senior care facilities instead of staying in acute hospitals if they are suffering from a chronic illnesses, terminal conditions, and dementia.

 

Interested in learning about what we offer at Fallbrook Assisted? Click here to visit our Assisted Living page!

Fallbrook Assisted Living is proud to offer its services to Fremont, NE, and surrounding areas and cities: Arlington, Cedar Bluffs, Ames Nickerson, Fontanelle, Arlington, Leshara, Colon, and Hooper

Senior Housing

A Look Back at the History of Memory Care Assisted Living

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By 2050, demographic researchers are expecting the senior population in the United States to reach 90 million. This means the elderly population will be exceeding the younger demographic. As we look forward to a higher demand in memory care assisted living being the fastest growing long-term care option for Americans, let us also look back at how it all began and how the practice evolved over the years.

 

The shift in senior care

Before there were memory care assisted living facilities, there were nursing care homes. Once the only option for senior care, it did not take long before the negative connotation arose. Such opinions quickly called for a shift in the world of senior care.

From 1979 to 1985, new facilities focusing on patient-centered care sprouted across the country, thus the birth of assisted living.

 

The rise of assisted living

 

With growing interest in senior care, consumers saw four new types of assisted living from 1986 to 1993. Hybrid facilities were basically improved versions of traditional nursing care homes.

 

Hospitality communities offered a more resort-like setting for residents. Housing targeted residents aged 55 and up causing an importance for on-site health care. Many facilities than adapted and followed the continuum care model, offering specialized care for aging residents.

 

The growth of memory care assisted living

As this new senior care model grew in popularity, it attracted financial investors from Wall Street. This new attraction made memory care assisted living the ideal senior care model in the country from 1994 to 2000.

 

The result of this has been a booming amount of construction of new facilities and an evolution of practices within them.

 

The present and future

 

The new millennium saw a growing senior population with the baby boomers reaching their late adulthood years and more people suffering from chronic medical conditions. The last few years has seen assisted living evolving to meet the increasing demands for long-term care among seniors.

 

Today, there are more than 30,000 memory care assisted living facilities around the United States. Private and out-of-pocket paying residents who want to live a more independent lifestyle while having access to 24/7 services are fueling his market.

 

It is also not a secret that the assisted living industry still has its struggles and challenges as it continues to adapt to a growing and more demanding market.

 

Media outlets today are responsible for fueling negative misconceptions about the credibility of memory care facilities.

 

But memory care assisted living is the future of senior care. As the senior population continues to balloon and more chronic illnesses affect older adults, the need for high quality facilities that offer both independence and excellent health care for seniors will continue to grow.

 

For sure, the country’s assisted living facilities will also answer to this call.

Looking for memory care for you or a loved one? Check out our memory care programs and housing plans by clicking here!

Fallbrook Assisted Living is proud to offer its services to Fremont, NE, and surrounding areas and cities: Arlington, Cedar Bluffs, Ames Nickerson, Fontanelle, Arlington, Leshara, Colon, and Hooper