By Doug Love
Director of Levy Gardens Assisted Living

Assisted living is a relatively modern form of long-term care. It developed largely as a middle ground between living independently and living in a nursing home, emphasizing personal choice, privacy, and assistance with everyday activities.

Before Assisted Living: 1800s–early 1900s

Historically, older adults who could no longer live independently had relatively few options.

Family care was the most common arrangement. People without family support might live in almshouses, poorhouses, or charitable institutions. Religious and charitable organizations operated some homes for older people.

By the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, hospitals and institutions increasingly cared for people with significant medical needs. These institutions generally were not designed around the modern idea of independent living with supportive services.

The Rise of Nursing Homes: 1930s–1950s

The modern nursing home system began taking shape in the United States during the twentieth century. A major turning point was the Social Security Act of 1935, which provided federal support for state programs serving older adults and contributed to changes in residential care.

After World War II, hospitals and medical care expanded rapidly. Nursing homes increasingly became places for people who needed substantial nursing or medical assistance.

However, many older people did not need that level of medical care. They needed help with things such as:

• Meals
• Housekeeping
• Bathing and dressing
• Medication management
• Transportation
• Personal safety
• This created demand for a different type of residence

 The Emergence of Assisted Living: 1960s–1980s

The concept that became known as assisted living began developing more clearly in the 1960s and 1970s. Some communities began offering apartments or private rooms where residents could maintain a degree of independence while receiving supportive services. The philosophy was different from the traditional nursing home–provide assistance while preserving as much independence and choice as possible.

The term “assisted living” became increasingly common during the 1980s. Communities began offering combinations of housing, meals, housekeeping, activities, personal care, and medication assistance.

Growth During the 1990s

Assisted living expanded dramatically during the 1990s. Several factors contributed: the aging American population, longer life expectancy, greater demand for private rooms and residential environments, families looking for alternatives to nursing homes, development of larger private senior living companies, increased recognition that many older adults needed support rather than full-time skilled nursing. Assisted living communities increasingly resembled residential apartments, with dining rooms, activity areas, gardens, and common spaces.

 Assisted Living Today

Today, assisted living encompasses a broad range of communities and services. A typical community may provide:

• Housing
• Private or shared apartments/rooms
• Housekeeping and laundry
• Maintenance
• Daily support
• Bathing and dressing assistance
• Medication reminders or administration
• Meals
• Mobility assistance
• Social and recreational services
• Exercise programs
• Entertainment
• Classes
• Outings
• Social Activities

 

If you would like to learn more about Levy Gardens Assisted Living, please contact Doug Love, Director of Levy Gardens Assisted Living, at 330.746.3570.