Supportive Living and Assisted Living (What is the difference?) Guest Post
Supportive Living is a licensed senior program for seniors 65 years of age and older in which services are similar to Assisted Living. Supportive Living also has licensed communities for the specific purpose of serving those with disabilities from the ages of 22 – 64. The biggest difference between Assisted Living and Supportive Living is that licensed Supportive Living communities can accept Medicaid Waivers for Resident’s who qualify and need the related financial assistance. Supportive Living is regulated through the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, whereas Assisted Living is regulated through the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Resident’s desiring Supportive Living are screened by the community in which they 
are interested in to ensure the community can appropriately care for the prospective resident. Should an interested resident select Supportive Living services, they also are required to be screened by a third-party approved organization via an assessment known as a determination of need (DON score). This process just confirms that a candidate has needs appropriate for the purpose of providing Supportive Living services.
Supportive Living offers a range of private room living accommodations, with three meals provided each day, a variety of daily activities, transportation, healthcare related services, weekly laundry and housekeeping, and maintenance needs.
Thomas Trovato is the Administrator at Moraine Court, a Supportive Living Community in Bridgeview IL
