For those residing in an assisted living facility, considering moving into assisted living, or with relatives in assisted living, it is important to pay special attention to what medicines residents in assisted living facilities need and what medicines are actually provided. The difference between a nursing home and an assisted living home is the level of care given to patients. Nursing homes are generally made up of bedrooms that can be shared or private and general living spaces such as living rooms and eating rooms. They are geared to total care for patients with more severe needs. Assisted living facilities are more focused on allowing residents to keep their independence. Rather than a group-living style, assisted living often offers apartments for couples or individuals to live in. Assisted living sounds better for seniors who need less care, but sometimes it doesn’t provide adequate medical care.

It has recently come to the awareness of the American public that treatment in assisted living homes and nursing homes isn’t of the quality that it could be. When people think of seniors being under-treated for illness, they generally think only of bedridden, feeble seniors; this isn’t the case though. The schism between medications prescribed and medications needed in assisted living homes is wide, and it has nothing to do with the health status of the patients.

In order to choose an assisted living or nursing home that adequately treats (and doesn’t over-treat) patients there are several important elements to check out. The first is whether or not there is a doctor on the premises and whether or not there is a doctor who visits patients regularly. Even if an assisted living home isn’t focused on providing medical treatment to its residents, there should be health care regularly available. When considering assisted living homes ask about a contract that specifies what specific care package residents receive. Also make sure the home strives to allow residents to retain autonomy and not become dependent on help from others.

If the home makes an initial assessment of what sort of assistance patients need when they first move in, see who is involved in the assessment. Make sure that family members and health care professionals are included. Also determine if family members can review what the evaluation says and decide whether they agree with it or not. Once the initial plan is made, see how often it is updated to meet a resident’s current needs. Some assisted living facilities have national accreditation for Health Service Coordination; this is important because it assures there are qualified doctors and nurses determining residents’ needs.