2-hour Pre-Service Orientation

Course Overview

The 2 Hour Pre-Service Orientation training course is required by all staff who come into contact with residents. This Pre-service Orientation Training must be completed BEFORE staff can interact with residents. Besides orientation training, we also offer ALF Core training for anyone who wants to become an administrator in any ALF in Florida.

What we are going to cover in our orientation program?

Introduction to Assisted Living Facilities
* What is Assisted Living and Who is it for?
* Types of Assisted Living Facilities
* Introducing the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) and Florida Health Finder
* Person-Centered Approaches for Caregivers in Assisted Living
* Resident Rights in Assisted Living
* Closing Statements

What is Assisted Living?

Assisted living is a type of resident designed for people who need medical and personal care. Residents can be apartments, shared quarters, or individual rooms. 

The facilities normally provide a home-like setting and are designed to maintain the resident’s self-reliance. Services are offered to assist residents with daily living. 

According to the ALFA, or, Assisted Living Federation of America, Assisted Living is defined as,

“A senior living option that combines apartment-style housing, organized social interaction, and private duty support services as needed. Assisted living is designed for individuals who require assistance with everyday activities such as meals, medication management, or physical assistance with bathing, dressing, and transportation. Some residents may have memory disorders including Alzheimer’s, or they may need help with mobility, incontinence, or other challenges”.

Who is it for?

Assisted Living Facilities are for individuals who often need assistance with ADLs (activities of daily living) such as personal care, hygiene assistance, mobility, meal preparation, medication management, and more.

What Services Do Assisted Living Communities Provide?

The services provided by assisted living communities differ from facility to facility. Services often include:

• One to three meals a day
• Monitoring of medication
• Personal care, including dressing and bathing
• Housekeeping and laundry
• 24-hour emergency care
• Some medical services
• Social and recreational activities

Types of Assisted Living Facilities

• Assisted Living for Seniors
• Disability Assisted Living Facilities
• Assisted Living for Veterans

Introducing the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) and Florida Health Finder

The Agency for Health Care Administration’s (AHCA) motto is “Better Health Care for All Floridians,”.In addition to administering Florida’s Medicaid program, AHCA licenses hospitals, nursing homes, and most other health care facilities in Florida. The agency also operates FloridaHealthFinder.gov, which aims to provide transparency and help consumers make informed decisions. As technology advances, AHCA will continue to look for innovative ways to improve the delivery of health care for Floridians through telehealth.

Person-centered Approaches for Caregivers in Assisted Living

Person-centered care incorporate the activities and services planned according to each resident’s personal preferences and values in assisted living facilities. This approach honors each senior’s choice, dignity, and individuality, which enhances both qualities of care and life for seniors.

This framework comprises the basic principles of person-centered care such as:

• affording people dignity, compassion and respect
• offering coordinated care, support or treatment
• offering personalized care, support or treatment
• supporting people to recognize and develop their own strengths and abilities to enable them to live an independent and fulfilling life.

Resident Rights in Assisted Living Facilities

According to the Florida Senate, resident bills of rights include:

• Live in a safe and decent living environment, free from abuse and neglect.
• Be treated with consideration, respect, and with due recognition of personal dignity, individuality, and the need for privacy.
• Retain and use his/her own clothes and other personal property.
• Unrestricted private communication including receiving and sending unopened correspondence, access to a telephone, and visiting with any person of his or her choice, at any time between the hours of 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. at a minimum.
• Participate in and benefit from community services and activities to achieve the highest possible level of independence, autonomy, and interaction with the community.