Benefits

• In addition to assistance with bathing, dressing and medicine management, most assisted living communities offer three or more meals a day. Access to exercise equipment and entertainment facilities is typically available. Due to the community setting, individuals will not be living in isolation.
  
  

Problems

• Individuals may be uncomfortable moving into the new setting and possibly living with a roommate. Unfamiliar policies may also be displeasing; for example, pet restrictions could separate owners and pets.
  
  

Population

• In 2009, over 900,000 people were in the care of assisted living facilities. Most of those individuals were women with the average age of 86.