Prairie Home Assisted Living

Assisted Living Facilities are designed for individuals that need assistance with basic activities of daily living (ADL's). 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. ADL’s include feeding, bathing, toileting, dressing and grooming, walking and transferring plus self administration of medications. Assisted Living or Assisted Living Facilities (ALF) or Community Based Residential Facilities (CBRF's) 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. People who use Assisted Living Facilities may require medical care in addition to receiving assistance with ADL’s, but they can still maintain some level of independence and do not yet need the level of continuous skilled nursing care found in institutions like nursing homes. Assisted Living Facilities are licensed and regulated by state guidelines. They are grouped into three classes depending upon the level of care provided. Typically “A” class signifies very little external help with ADL’s whereas “B” and “C” class progress 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 is a Class “C” 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.

There are many types of people who 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 towards care rather than the actual care received. This concept is important to families struggling with the less appealing option of placing their loved one 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. One important benefit gained for residents and families alike is family roles are often restored when caregiver responsibilities are taken over by trained staff. 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 the trained caregivers, Facility Directors and RN. 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.