Assisted Living Articles » Interacting with the Assisted Living Community
What is an assessment?
The purpose of an assessment is to define the current needs and preferences of an individual.
Within an Assisted Living community, an assessment may be performed by a non-licensed individual. It is becoming much more prevalent that the person doing the assessment has been given specific training in completing an assessment or is a licensed individual (Licensed Practical Nurse, Registered Nurse, Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner, or Masters of Social Work).
The assessment documents more than just a snapshot of the person. The document collects historical information about the health care and personal care needs of an individual. It is also helpful in defining and documenting psycho-social behaviors and preferences, perhaps even service preferences.
The assessment may or may not include projected needs for care. Anticipated needs are typically accumulated and written in a plan of care rather than in an assessment.
Over the years, most providers have shared their assessment tools with each other, so most all assessments contain the very same components. The skill of the person obtaining the information from in-person interviews, review of medical records and discussions with family members and possibly friends will all affect the quality of the assessment.
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Last update: 2007-04-02 20:06
Author: Tech Support
Revision: 1.0
