Assisted Living Facilities are designed for individuals who need assistance with basic activities of daily living (ADLs). These activities are self-care tasks that we all learned in childhood but become more and more difficult to perform as people go through the aging process. Feeding, bathing, toileting, dressing, grooming, walking, transferring, and self-administering medications are all activities of daily living (ADLs). Assisted Living or Assisted Living Facilities (ALF) or Community-Based Residential Facilities (CBRFs) are usually used by people who need assistance with their daily living. These people find it difficult to live on their own without relying heavily on family, friends, or a home care agency. Individuals who opt for assisted living facilities may need medical attention alongside help with their Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). However, they can still hold on to a certain degree of independence and do not require the constant skilled nursing care that is present in nursing homes.

Assisted Living Facilities are licensed and regulated by state guidelines. They are grouped into three classes depending on the level of care provided.

• A-class: signifies very little external help with ADL.
• B-class progress in the amount of care that can be provided.
• C-class also progresses in the amount of care that can be provided. A C-class assisted living facility is licensed to provide all levels of care including most skilled medical care tasks, which traditionally used to be only managed through nursing homes.

Prairie Home Assisted Living is a C-class ambulatory (CNA) CBRF facility, which is licensed and regulated by the State of Wisconsin to serve residents who are ambulatory, semi-ambulatory, or non-ambulatory but one or more of whom are not physically or mentally capable of responding to an electronic fire alarm and exiting the facility without help or verbal or physical prompting. People generally choose between home care, assisted living, or nursing home care depending upon the amount of independence the individual can maintain, the amount of care needed, and the cost of that care.

Many types of people can benefit from residing at an assisted living facility. Assisted living is ideal for elderly individuals or couples who are capable of some level of independence but require assistance with the basic activities of daily living. They may also have some medical concerns that require supervision or continuous attention. An ALF is also a safe place for those suffering from Alzheimer’s or Dementia related problems. Assisted living is an ideal living arrangement for disabled individuals as well as those recovering from hospitalization or illness and in need of medical supervision.

There are many benefits for those who choose to live in an assisted living facility. The most important benefit is derived from the basic concept of “assisted” living. The philosophy of assisted living is that it promotes independence, autonomy, privacy, and dignity for the residents who live there. The concept of assisted living is more concerned with the approach toward care rather than the actual care received. This concept is important to families struggling with the less appealing option of placing their loved ones in a traditional nursing home. Assisted living facilities strive to maintain the current level of independence enjoyed by residents but with additional supervision and support when necessary.

When trained staff take over caregiver responsibilities, family roles are often restored, benefiting both residents and families. The professional care provided by assisted living facilities relieves the stress and burnout experienced by families when dealing with loved ones who need daily care. Peace of mind is gained from living in an assisted living facility. The residents benefit from continual monitoring of their health by trained caregivers, facility directors, and RNs. Safety against accidents or falls is another plus. The availability of nutritious meals and housekeeping, in addition to opportunities for social interaction, all add to the quality of life experienced by residents at assisted living facilities.

There are approximately 20,000 assisted living facilities in the U.S. with over a million residents, according to Pierce County. Assisted living residents can be young or old, affluent or low-income, frail or disabled. A typical resident is mid-eighty and is either widowed or single. Residents living in assisted living facilities may suffer from Alzheimer's disease or other memory disorders. They may also need help with incontinence or mobility.

At Prairie Home Assisted Living, we're committed to providing expert care to our residents. Some of these services include:

• Three meals a day, snacks, and beverages are served in a common dining area
• Housekeeping services 
• Assistance with eating, bathing, dressing, toileting, and walking 
• Medically trained staff
• Access to health and medical services 
• Monthly/daily health monitoring by directors, administrators, RNs, and CNAs
• Specialized care for Alzheimer's dementia-related disorders 
• 24-hour security and staff availability 
• Emergency call systems for each resident 
• Health promotion and exercise programs 
• Medication management under a facility director/RN supervision 
• Pharmacy services 
• Personal laundry services 
• Social and recreational activities 
• Spiritual care and ministry services for all faiths 
• Fun and fitness room with exercise equipment and crafts area 
• Beauty and barber services 
• Rooms are phone, cable TV, and Wi-Fi ready

If you feel that you know someone who could benefit from our assisted living or memory care facilities, get in touch today.

At Prairie Home Assisted Living, we understand that each resident has unique needs and preferences. That is why we schedule an initial assessment meeting with each potential resident and their family. The goal of the assessment is to learn more about the resident and determine what type of care is needed. Once we have conducted an initial assessment, we will collaborate with your loved one's healthcare provider to create a personalized care plan. The care plan will include a detailed schedule of the services that your loved one will receive. Our goal is to provide a level of care that addresses health concerns and provides necessary assistance while helping seniors to maintain their lifestyles.

At our organization, we strive to offer top-notch care that caters to the health needs of seniors while also supporting their current lifestyles. We only determine the monthly cost of care after creating a personalized care plan, ensuring that there are no unexpected expenses or hidden costs. In our experience, on average, assisted living costs are usually half the cost of nursing home care or full-time home care. While some assisted living facilities charge per item of care or service, Prairie Home Assisted Living includes a wide range of services within our standard monthly fees.

Moreover, unlike other assisted living facilities, which base their prices on a sliding scale and often raise rates for each additional service required, Prairie Home Assisted Living only readdresses price rates in the event of a major change in the level of care, for example, a stroke. Click to see what types of services are offered at Prairie Home Assisted Living. 

Depending on the nature of an individual's health insurance program or long-term care insurance policy, costs may be reimbursed. VA Assistance is available to vets and their spouses. Medicaid waiver programs may also be available to help pay for assisted living services. We also accept government funding.

If you feel that you know someone who could benefit from our assisted living or memory care facilities, get in touch today. You can contact us by emailing us at mike@prairiehomeassistedliving.com or giving us a call at (920) 969-0526 for a referral to the appropriate agency. We'd be happy to help.

Typically, Medicare does not cover the costs of living in assisted living facilities. The exception is when skilled nursing care is required and given. Medicare has guidelines and limitations for coverage that you can learn more about.

For more details about Medicare coverage for your individual situation, please give us a call at (920) 969-0526 or contact mike@prairiehomeassistedliving.com. We're happy to answer any questions you have.

The key difference between assisted living and nursing homes is the level of care and freedom given to the residents. In nursing homes, the majority of the residents have health issues that require continual medical supervision as well as need of assistance with daily living tasks. They are no longer capable of living independently. Residents in such a facility usually live in shared rooms with little to no private space. Nursing staff provide medical and general assistance but are limited in their time and attention by a high resident-to-staff ratio. Nursing home residents typically are unable to leave the facility on their own, mainly because they are physically or mentally unable to. Assisted living residents are far more independent because they typically don't need as much hands-on medical attention.

Beyond requiring assistance with medicine management, bathing, and other tasks of daily living, residents remain very independent. In many assisted living facilities they have individual rooms furnished and decorated to their tastes. Assisted living residents might still cook, entertain, participate in activities, and go on outings, while still enjoying the security of medical supervision and social interaction with other residents. In the past, the main distinction between Assisted Living facilities and institutionalized facilities, like nursing homes, was the ability to provide skilled nursing care.

These days, Class C assisted living facilities can provide many medical services. Medical care, under RN supervision, may include medication monitoring, pharmaceutical services, Alzheimer’s and Dementia care, physical and occupational therapy, pain management, and hospice care.

It takes a special person to provide loving and compassionate care for the elderly. We look for employees who have a true interest and heart in serving the aging. All individuals selected for employment at Prairie Home Assisted Living must be of high moral and ethical character, and they must be involved in long-term care because they want to assist the elderly. Long-term care workers must demonstrate a willingness to learn and stay up-to-date with changes.

Prairie Home Assisted Living provides ongoing training under the supervision of our resident RN. Each Caregiver is required by state regulations to have an additional 15 hours of continuous education each year. We provide in-house training that covers but is not limited to medications, disease processes, Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, fall prevention, pain management, infection control, and hospice care as well as education in caring for clients with special needs.

All caregivers working for Prairie Home Assisted Living are carefully interviewed and go through a screening process, which includes a criminal background check. Each caregiver is fully trained for the type of care they provide. From physical health or mobility issues to memory care, our team is highly qualified to provide the necessary care.

Prairie Home is a licensed and monitored C-class assisted living facility located in Wisconsin. Our facility is equipped with highly trained medical staff and is fully capable of providing medical care, as well as assistance with daily living tasks.

Prairie Home Assisted Living is a family-owned business that is privately owned and operated by John H. McCarthy and the McCarthy family. The business is faith-based, and their deep devotion to Christ guides the way it is run. Many staff members share the same principles, and prayer and ministry are common practices at Prairie Home. The residents enjoy a home-like setting with beautifully decorated living areas, private rooms, and home-cooked meals.

If you think a loved one could benefit from our care here at Prairie Home Assisted Living, contact us today. We specialize in providing compassionate care for residents in assisted living and memory care.