An assisted living residence is a program or facility that combines housing, health and supportive services to support resident independence and aging in place. Assisted living residences must be licensed by the State of Vermont.
At a minimum, assisted living residences must offer these things within a home-like setting:
- private bedroom
- private bath
- living space
- kitchen capacity, and
- a lockable door
An assisted living residence must also provide:
- a daily program of activities and socialization opportunities – including access to community resources, and
- social services – including information, referral and coordination with other community programs and resources such as hospice, home health, transportation and other services to support a resident who is aging in place
An assisted living residence may not admit a person who has the following equipment, treatment or care needs:
- ventilator
- respirator
- stage III or IV decubitus ulcer
- nasopharangeal suctioning
- oral or tracheal suctioning, or
- two-person assistance to transfer from bed or chair, or to move about
A person who is already living in an assisted living residence and later develops a need for the equipment, treatment or care listed above or develops a terminal illness may be able to remain in the residence. This is true as long as the assisted living residence can safely meet the resident’s care needs, or the resident’s needs are met by an appropriate licensed provider.
Assisted living residences may accept Medicaid coverage, long-term care insurance and private pay (paying out-of-pocket).