Many people misunderstand the benefits of assisted living in Bradenton, FL. A common misconception is thinking that such communities are the same as nursing homes. It’s important to note that while there can be a few similarities between a nursing home and an assisted living community, the level of service provided in assisted living communities in Bradenton is of a wider variety. Many people find that it’s more humane to stay in assisted living communities in Bradenton. Beyond that, assisted living communities in Florida have to follow a number of regulations as well. It is important to remember these regulations so that you can know your rights regarding assisted living. Some of the regulations that all senior living communities in Florida have to abide by include:
Clear Contracts
By law, when you move into an assisted living community, you should have a good idea of how much you will pay and for how long. The issue of hidden costs is prohibited through various state and federal regulations. Rule 58A-5.02, FAC states that when you move into an assisted living community, the contract should specify the services you will get, as well as how much you will have to pay for them. For instance, it should be clear about how much rent you have to pay, as well as the possibility of these costs going higher. If the cost of services should increase, it is also necessary for the assisted living community to give you fair notice and not immediately implement them out of the blue. Any additional services such as activities should have a schedule with the applicable rates indicated. It should also be clear about which services come bundled with the bare minimum rent as well.
Physical Living Standards
There are also standards regarding the structure of the environment in terms of general wellbeing. The regulations stipulate that the community should be designed to be healthy to live in for team members and should also be suitably safe for guests as well. To do this, the communities need to comply with building codes, COVID regulations, maintenance regulations and more. This means that guests are likely to have a healthy lifestyle, and the presence of motivated team members will add to this effect.
Food Standards
There are minimum stipulated guidelines regarding food standards in senior living communities. Ideally, the food should meet the nutritional requirements of the population living in the community. This requires careful selection and preparation of meals. The goal is to ensure that not only is food tasty, but healthy as well. The community should also be in a position to offer special meals to individuals who have special dietary requirements such as gluten-free diets.
Staffing and Training
Assisted living care team members are required to be trained in their specific roles, particularly if they will be engaging with guests directly. They should understand issues to do with infection control and sanitation, competence and should be repeatedly given continuous professional development. This imparts them with the most current knowledge in their field, making them more effective at taking care of you.
