Project Sample: Healthcare Writing



With a background in nursing, I have been asked many times to write for various healthcare niches. Some of my specialties are geriatrics, surgery, psychology, and long-term care. Here is an example of a piece done for an LA assisted living facility, written to help families decide what to ask when looking for placement for their loved ones.

Sample:

Assisted living in Los Angeles

You can plan the rest of your life with confidence when you understand your retirement options. With assisted living, you can remain independent in a private setting while still receiving the support you need at any level. You can adjust your assistance as your needs change.

What is assisted living?

How does assisted living work for seniors? As part of retirement living, staff provides assistance with daily living activities so seniors can maintain their independence. Assisted living allows seniors to live well independently if they receive help with daily tasks like eating, housekeeping, laundry, grooming, dressing, bathing, or transferring to mobility devices.

What are assisted living services? 

assisted living's carefully designed properties offer assisted living residents a safe and pleasant lifestyle, with a seasonal menu, housekeeping services, premium amenities, social and recreational activities that enrich your life, and freedom to go about your day at your own pace.



Our certified wellness staff will assist you with tasks at your request, including showering, medication assistance, dressing, continence care, etc., based on your unique needs and routines.

Assisted Living vs. Other Types of Care in Los Angeles, CA

Assistive living with nursing care is an excellent choice for seniors who wish to maintain their independence and privacy but need some assistance with their daily routines. 

Differences between assisted living and nursing homes

Nursing homes and assisted living provide seniors with a secure, accessible environment with support for daily living activities, such as getting dressed, bathing, and taking care of themselves. Aside from providing senior care, assisted living facilities and nursing homes also offer meals, recreational activities, laundry, housekeeping and transportation. They also assist seniors in managing their medications.



An assisted living facility offers them their own personal suite, which is called assisted living (or supportive living, depending on where they live). Assisted living residences may feature a licensed dining room, a fitness center, a craft kitchen, a gardening center, a games room, a library, and a pub as premium amenities. 



In assisted living, residents do not require continuous medical care, but they might need assistance living alone, such as transferring to a wheelchair. Physiotherapy, vision care, dental care, lab services, and other health and wellness services are also available as optional services at many assisted living communities.



Nursing homes are often more institutional than assisted living facilities. People who can no longer be cared for at home or in assisted living are placed in nursing homes and long-term care facilities. Seniors living in a care home with complex medical problems or life-threatening illnesses need 24/7 monitoring by nurses and doctors in this secure setting.

Benefits of assisted living in Los Angeles

You know your parent best, so deciding they need help isn't easy. Assisted living facilities may be a good option if you can't provide them with the care they need.



assisted living is an ideal facility for seniors who are independent but also need personal assistance in the early stages of moving into assisted living. Here are 10 benefits to look forward to.

Patient-centered care

Each assisted living facility takes into account the individual's experiences, health needs, and preferences. The staff of assisted living communities get to know residents, understand their needs, and create the ideal environment for them to achieve those goals.

Assistance with daily tasks

The assisted living facility staff provides respectful, hands-on assistance with dignity, since residents are independent in many ways in assisted living facilities. With age, your loved one may need assistance with housekeeping, transportation, bathing, dressing, hygiene, and laundry. Maybe your loved one needs respite care, assistance walking, or memory loss assistance. The needs of your loved one can be met by an assisted living community.

A safe and secure environment

Several factors contribute to assisted living's culture of safety—staff-to-patient ratios, compliance with procedures, training, and skills, community design for preventing falls, emergency preparedness plans, and secure access.

A social life and engagement with others

Older adults with an active social life may have a slower rate of memory decline, according to Harvard School of Public Health researchers. At assisted living, there's never a dull moment. Regular social activity prevents loneliness and depression and improves quality of life. To maintain health and happiness, assisted living offers plenty of daily, weekly, and monthly activities. The community offers a variety of social activities, such as book clubs and weekly socials, art therapy, gardening, and activities that reflect your loved one's interests, meet their wellness goals, and foster lasting friendships.

Healthcare accessibility

The assisted living facility looks at the physical, mental, and overall health of the loved one to offer quality healthcare on-site. Many residences offer direct hospital access for emergencies, and aquatic, therapeutic, and rehabilitation services. Healthcare access on-site complements the care your loved one is already receiving and offers thorough, comprehensive care.

Comfortable, at-home feeling

An ideal assisted living community should look and feel like home. It should offer communal spaces, outdoor settings, and more while providing comfort and calming. You may even have access to the same amenities and luxuries your loved one would enjoy at home, including chapel services, business centers, beauty salons, and more.

Fun and independence

While assisted living offers advanced personal care, your loved one can live freely while accessing amenities and services that will make their life easier and safer. Should they need additional services later, they can find comfort in an assisted living community, which offers many of the services they need now. Your loved one will be surrounded by caring, uplifting community while living independently with physical and mental autonomy.

A more leisurely pace

The heavy cleaning, cooking, shoveling snow, and yard maintenance of your loved one is all a thing of the past when they move to assisted living. As seniors age, assisted living is the perfect place to live if your loved one is having difficulty doing these activities or they have become safety hazards.

Dining options and nutrition

Seniors' health and nutrition are a priority in assisted living. With a variety of delicious, healthy, fresh ingredients, residents can choose their seating, meal times, and menu preferences. There are plenty of tasty options on the menu, which rotates daily. Your loved one can enjoy dinner with friends in our elegant dining room.

A sense of security

Through assisted living, you can feel secure and at peace. You can enjoy life without worrying 24/7 about your loved one's care when you know they are happy, healthy, and safe. Having staff and residents there for your loved one means you can rest easy knowing they're well cared for. This same peace of mind extends to your loved one, too.

What are the requirements for assisted living?

A potential resident's ability to live in an assisted living facility is determined by their specific care needs. Overall, assisted living is a suitable option for those who require:



• Daily assistance with everyday tasks — getting dressed, bathing, etc.
• Minimal skilled nursing services
• Medication management
• Rehabilitation services

Health conditions 

The resident must be predictable and stable, medically. They must require assistance with at least two ADLs or activities of daily living. These include things like: 



• Making meals
• Ambulation 
• Continence care
• Transitions in mobility (Standing from a seated position, transferring from standing to bed) 
• Bathing 
• Grooming
• Dressing

Age requirements

Typically, assisted living accepts residents aged 62 or older, but we will evaluate them individually if they are younger.

What are the levels of care for assisted living?

Assessing the resident's overall level of care begins with reviewing their individual activities of daily living (ADLs) and medical needs.



Level One: Residents at this level are mainly independent but may need reminders to perform ADLs. Some may require supervision or assistance to ensure correct and safe performance.

Level Two: Residents at Level Two have intermediate or moderate levels of care; some ADLs can be performed independently, such as feeding themselves, but others need assistance, such as dressing.

Level Three: A high level of care is required for this individual who has impairments affecting multiple activities of daily living, requiring the assistance of a multi-person team.

How much does assisted living cost?

The average monthly cost of a private, one-bedroom apartment in California assisted living is approximately $5,250.

How to pay for assisted living in Los Angeles

It is imperative to plan for long-term care costs. Many people underestimate the cost of assisted living or home care, and many believe that Medicare will cover the costs, which is untrue. Medicare does not cover these expenses.

What are the main payment options for assisted living?

To pay for assisted living, there are options:

• Personal pay
• Pension
• Social security
• Veterans benefits
• Health insurance
• Reverse mortgage
• Long-term care insurance
• Assets (selling property, vehicles, jewelry)
• Public assistance

Does Social Security pay for assisted living in Los Angeles?

Assisted living or in-home care expenses are often covered in part by social security or pension income, but not all. Social security does not cover all costs.

Final Thoughts

Looking for an assisted living community for you or your loved one? Empowering your parent to make their own decisions is a win-win. 



If you’re helping your parent, start by having a conversation; here are some points to consider:

• Having a candid conversation about moving is essential
• Ask your parents about their concerns and encourage them to explore them
• Get the support of trusted allies
• Develop a collaborative approach to research and decision-making
• When your parent's safety is at risk, stand your ground
• Research senior living options on a schedule 



Your parent can make informed choices if you approach the conversation with empathy and optimism.



While taking a tour of senior living residences, use these tips to evaluate the quality of care:

• What's the atmosphere like?
• Do the residents look clean, and are they dressed?
• How reliable is the management team, and how long have they been there?
• What is the staff turnover rate? Are frontline team members passionate about their jobs?
• What's going on in the dining room? Does it seem relaxed and the residents seem to enjoy the food and the environment?
• Are recreation events engaging? Are there a variety of activities or all interests and ability levels?
• How's the outdoor space looking? Is there a welcoming environment where residents can enjoy good weather outside?
• How does the building look? It’s it clean and well-kept?
• What do residents say about living there?



Visit an assisted living residence near you for a private tour and experience our exceptional senior assisted living with personalized care.