and unmet promises make some places seem more like un-assisted living" (p. 1). Unfortunately many facilities are misleading as to what level of care they are providing. Both the government and national organizations are currently addressing this issue.My own experience with an assisted living facility has been quite good. Formerly my grandmother was a resident of an assisted living facility. The facility was specifically built for seniors and was that of an apartment like structure. The facility provided social and recreational activities on a continual basis. There was also transportation service available for residents who wished to use it. My grandmother thoroughly enjoyed living in an assisted living facility where she had the opportunity to make numerous friends, participate in activities and remain independent.Long Term CareLong-term care patients are categorized by having a chronic condition and/or disease. The long-term care facility can be either hospital-based or freestanding. It consists of an organized medical staff, which provides continuous nursing services under professional nurse direction. The patient's status is reviewed on a regular basis to determine if they meet criteria to remain at the facility.The long-term care facility is regulated by state licensure regulations, federal regulations and Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations (JCAHO). State licensure is mandatory, Federal regulation is only necessary if the facility participates with Medicare and Medicaid, and JCAHO standards are voluntary.Long term-care is very expensive and it often becomes a financial catastrophe for the elderly person and their family. Private insurance is unlikely to cover the full cost of care and Medicare only pays for a limited amount. The person usually must eliminate a substantial amount of their assets to become eligible for Medicaid which covers long term care. According to Growing Old In America "In order fo...
