With such a high percentage of the population in or entering their elderly years, the assisted living industry has ballooned into a billion dollar business. Currently, about one million Americans are estimated to be living at assisted living facilities. By the year 2030, that number is expected to double.
Franchised Assisted Living Facilities
Assisted living facilities exist in some form in every state, and chances are that there is a facility within reach for anyone who is interested. Some of the most successful assisted living companies have formed franchises, enabling that company to reach even further toward target owners and consumers.
There are a wide variety of franchised assisted living facilities to choose from. The services and care provided vary according to each facility. The best way to ensure that a loved one will get the full spectrum of care that they need is to interview each assisted living facility directly.
Interviewing Assisted Living Facilities
Are you wondering what to ask when you interview an assisted living facility? Some important things to ask include:
- Are individual dietary needs met?
- Can patients receive meals in their room or do they have to eat in a cafeteria?
- Do you provide group organized activities?
- Is there accommodation for personal interests such as gardening?
- Do you have a dedicated staff medical team?
The Costs of Assisted Living
Assisted living facilities usually charge between $3,000 and $3500 a month for help ranging from room and board to assistance with managing medication, transportation, meal preparation and the other light tasks associated with daily living like bathing, laundry and general cleanup. Facilities in higher income areas like New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut and California can and do charge more. High-end assisted living facilities can charge upwards of $100,000 annually, per patient.
Who Runs Assisted Living Facilities?
Generally speaking, assisted living facilities enjoy a positive reputation as being a loving way to help a senior get through their elderly years. Most of the people who choose to operate an assisted living facility either have some kind of background in senior care themselves, having received long term care online education.
If an individual is interested in either opening a senior assisted living franchise or simply opening a facility on their own, it helps if that person has a background in the business. Whether they worked directly with seniors or in an environment where seniors were cared for, it will only serve their future success in the assisted living facilities industry.
If you or your loved ones are looking into a stay at an assisted living facility, it helps to educate yourself about all the aspects of these facilities, including their business model, the available services and who is in charge of running the facility.
