As medical science continues to find ways to prolong life and as the healthcare and consumer health-related industries release new information on how to maintain health, Americans are living increasingly longer lives.

For many senior citizens, there is a transitional period between independence and the need for assistance with daily activities. They are no longer able to live alone, but are not yet ready for the expensive, extensive care given at a nursing home or senior acute care facility.

Bridging the gap between independent living and nursing home care is a new step in the continuum of care called assisted living. A special combination of housing, personalized supportive services and health care, assisted living is designed to help seniors with the activities of daily living in an atmosphere that promotes maximum independence and dignity. Depending on the state, assisted living residences may be called residential care facilities, adult congregate lving facilities, personal care homes, catered living facilities, retirement homs, homes for adults, or community residences. No matter the synonym, what these facilities have in common is the ability to meet scheduled and unscheduled needs 24 hours a day. Strongly encouraged is the involvement of a resident's family, neighbors and friends.

Services usually include three meals a day served in a common dining room; housekeeping; transportation; assistance with daily tasks such as eating, bathing, toileting, dressing, walking and medicating; laundry; and social, recreational, and educational opportunities. Emergency call systems are installed in each resident's unit and there is 24 hour a day security and nursing staff available.

Over a million people currently live in assisted living facilities. Census figures indicate that about 6.5 million older people need assistance with daily living, and will double by the year 2020. Tyical residents are 85 years of age, single or widowed, and female. The emergence of the managed care and integrated healthcare delivery systems makes assisted living a less expensive and more humane option than nursing homes for many seniors.

Bringing awareness of services to the public is The Assisted Living Federation of America, a nonprofit trade association whose mission it is to promote the interest of the assisted living industry and enhance the quality of life for the population it serves. Karen Wayne, president and CEO said, " Assisted living residences meet an important need. Residents can be young or old, allfluent or low income, frail or disabled. They may be widowed or single. They have a variety of disorders from Alzheimer's to incontinence to immobility. Assisted living is state licensed and regulated care which is less intensive that a nursing home but provides many more services than an independent retirement facility."

For more information on assisted living, contact the ALFA at 703/691-8106, 10300 Eaton Place, Suite 400, Fairfax, VA 22030 or Eldercare locator service at (800)677-1116.

Published: January 6, 1998

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