Living with service assisted living in a residential facility

If the important thing for you is to have greater service security than in your own home in old age, and if you would like more social contacts and encounters, you should examine whether moving into an assisted residential facility might be an alternative for you. Assisted living offers a comprehensive range of services, but you can still largely retain your independence. Depending on the facility and the nature of the contract, the offers can include meals, home care services, cleaning services or also leisure activities. You live in your own, individually designed rooms, which are usually accessible. In many cases, a contact is available on-site to provide advice and information. Beyond this, there are often communal rooms, where people can meet and engage in shared leisure activities.

The costs for assisted living differ widely. It is therefore important to carefully compare the services in detail. As with other housing, the rent varies, depending on the location, condition and facilities. In addition to the costs for the accommodation, a fixed remuneration for the assistance provided is usually also charged, e. g. for the services of the contact and the home alert system.

The main advantage of this form of housing is that it combines great service security with independent living. You have age-appropriate accommodation, you can avail yourself of various services, and you have contact with other people living in a similar situation.

Nevertheless, it may still be that you have to move out again if you develop a severe need for long-term care or dementia. In other words: assisted living presupposes that you can still largely run your household yourself. It is also important to know that there is no legal definition of the terms “assisted living” and “service housing”. Consequently, both names can apply to a wide range of housing and assistance offers. So, for any offer and before you sign a contract or move in, it is advisable to closely examine

• What services are included in the price,
• What other services can additionally be selected and also deselected,
• How high the costs ultimately are, and
• Whether the housing situation really does suit your personal wishes and needs.