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Iowa |
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Iowa Assisted Living,
Retirement
Communities and Senior Apartments
in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Sioux City, Waterloo,
Iowa City, Council Bluffs, Dubuque, Ames and Cedar Falls
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Iowa
Seniors
and Senior Housing
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The Iowa Department on Aging (IDA)
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What
is Assisted Living
Assisted living means the provision of housing with services,
which may include but are not limited to health-related care,
personal care, and assistance with instrumental activities of
daily living, to three or more tenants in a physical structure,
which provides a homelike environment. Assisted living programs
also includes encouragement of family involvement, tenant
self-direction, and tenant participation in decisions that
emphasize choice, dignity, privacy, individuality, shared risk,
and independence. Assisted living includes twenty-four hours per
day response staff to meet schedule and unscheduled or
unpredictable needs in a manner that promotes maximum dignity
and independence and provides supervision, safety, and security.
Assisted living includes the provision of housing and assistance
with instrumental activities of daily living only if personal
care or health-related care is also included. Individuals
residing in assisted living programs are referred to as tenants.
How do I choose an Assisted Living
Program (ALP) in Iowa?
Request a program brochure, a price list, and a copy of the
Occupancy Agreement (which providers are required by law to
provide upon request) so that you can review these items BEFORE
you visit. You will also want to visit as many different
programs as you can. Take a tour, talk independently with
tenants and staff and ask questions. Bring a friend or family
member along to be an extra set of eyes and a source of support.
If possible visit the program during the day and again in the
evening to become familiar with the level of staffing and
activities that take place at different times of the day.
Be aware that some agencies or providers may receive a referral
fee from an Assisted Living Program for referring individuals to
their program. There are currently no laws preventing this
practice. The Iowa Department on Aging recommends you proceed
with caution if you are using an agency that accepts referral
fees. You may want to ask during your visit to the program if
they pay referral fees and to whom.
Educate yourself as much as you can on the laws that regulate
assisted living programs in Iowa. The Iowa
Code and Iowa
Administrative Rules for assisted living programs are both
available online for your review.
Familiarize yourself with the terminology used in the assisted
living environment. The information provided on this website can
be a good starting point for building your knowledge.
See the links to other websites with relevant consumer
information in the Self
Advocacy Section of this website.
Download the following checklist of things to survey when
visiting different programs: Assisted
Living Consumer Checklist
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Resources for
Iowa Seniors
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