Is this normal for an assisted living facility?

littlebitark · May 27, 2009

Oh yea that's normal in assisted living- - rules are different in assisted living.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · May 27, 2009

Yes, that's the usual in ALFs. In fact, many of them have only one licensed nurse in the building for as little as 24 hours a week! I was a DON in assisted living facilities for years, and my hours in a given building ranged from as few as 8 to as many as 32.

ALFs are not set up to be like nursing homes, although the acuity, like in all types of care facilities, is rising. The typical ALF resident nowadays is pretty much what nursing-home residents were like 20 years ago---they need help with meds and some or all of their ADLs, but can generally feed themselves and get around their living space with little or no assistance.

Beware, however, of facilities that bring in residents with heavy care needs who SHOULD be in nursing homes. They usually do this to keep their census up, and they make their money by not adding the RA or nursing hours necessary to care for these people safely.

Good luck to you at your new job! Working in an ALF can be a lot of fun, and it's gratifying in a way that LTC usually isn't, as most residents are alert and oriented and full of the best stories. Enjoy!

KimberlyRN89, BSN, RN · May 28, 2009

Thanks for your help! I was just a little concerned.. all the residents at the ALF I'll be working at have some form of dementia & there's been a lot of falls there

mncna08 · Jun 1, 2009

oh yes very normal! lol both of my jobs have a nurse during the week but only from 6-2 so if you are a pm`er like myself, no nurse. since i only work weekends there is never a nurse around so im very comfortable and used to not having the nurse around and dealing with things. so we figure it out, of course they are on call. :) oh and i work at a memory care facility and you will learn the procedure to deal with falls and who to notify etc! you will do just fine! at one of my jobs there are 4 of us that take care of 26 residents and most all of them have cognitive issues and we do juuust fine. best wishes!:smilecoffeecup:

tishirajan · Jun 3, 2009

I worked for a 15 bed ALF for 3 years on the night shift. I was the only one there. It was creepy at first being the only one there at night! :sofahider I did med passes in the AM and also handed out PRN meds. I also fixed breakfast for over half of the residents. I loved that job. It was a great experience. Too bad my gallbladder hosed everything up for me I'm only working PRN there now until an opening becomes available.