What can an assisted living residence do when they cannot provide all needed services?

An assisted living residence may sometimes find itself in a position where it cannot meet all the necessary services for a resident. In such cases, one appropriate course of action is to ask the person to transfer to a different facility that can better meet their needs. This response is valid because assisted living residences are designed to provide specific assisted living services, and when those needs exceed what the facility can offer, it is in the best interest of the resident to find a more suitable environment.

Transferring a resident may involve moving them to a higher level of care, such as a nursing home or rehabilitation facility, which can provide comprehensive or specialized medical services that the assisted living residence does not offer. This decision is often made with sensitivity to the resident's well-being and care requirements, ensuring they receive the best possible support for their individual needs.

Other alternatives, such as hiring more staff, presuming the family will take on the extra responsibilities, or merely changing the resident’s service plan, do not adequately address the issue of insufficient care capabilities. Each of these alternatives may not resolve the core problem of unmet needs for care, making the transfer option the most appropriate and practical solution.