The new housing and health care alternative combining independence with personal care in a warm, dignified, community setting.

Currently, more than a million Americans live in an estimated 20,000 Assisted Living residences. Assisted Living residents can be young or old, affluent or low income, frail or disabled. A typical resident is a woman in her eighties and is either widowed or single. Residents may suffer from Alzheimer's disease or other memory disorders. Residents may also need help with incontinence or mobility.

Regulations and licensing regulations vary from state to state contributing to the wide range of senior housing models considered Assisted Living. Most providers and their staff have special training as a result either of state requirements or company policy. Some states require special staff certification and training. Residences must comply with local building codes and fire safety regulations.

Residents or their families generally pay the cost of care from their own financial resources. Depending on the nature of an individual's health insurance program or long-term care insurance policy, costs may be reimbursed. In addition, some residences have their own financial assistance programs. Government payments for Assisted Living residences has been limited. Some state and local governments offer subsidies for rent or services for low income elders.

Assisted Living is appropriate for someone who needs help with the "activities of daily living" but does not require the services that a nursing home provides. Stratford's Assisted Living services are tailored to meet the specific needs of those residents who require additional support services. Assisted Living is appropriate for someone who can no longer live at home or who wants extra support.

The American Health Care Association is the nation's largest federation of licensed assisted living facilities and can be contacted by writing 1201 L Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005 or telephone (202) 824-4444.

Most of our communities feature on-site assisted living (personal care in New Jersey and New York), along with an array of wellness services and convenient access to home health care services. In addition, some communities offer a special program for Alzheimer’s/memory support care as well as skilled nursing care.

Assisted Living residences can range from a high-rise apartment complex to a converted Victorian home to a renovated school. Residences may be free standing or housed with other residential options, such as independent living or nursing care. They may be operated by non-profit or for-profit companies. Most facilities have between 25 and 120 units. There is no single blueprint, because consumers' preferences and needs vary widely. Units may vary in size from one room to a full apartment.

Cheshire Home, Inc. provides housing for the younger physically disabled. The home provides many programs and services, such as rehabilitation, physical therapy and exercise, computer training, recreational activities, educational assessment, and many more. Residents are selected from an application process based on availability. Vision Star, Inc. is in the process of developing a family run home for the disabled.