As people age and need more help with daily activities, such as bathing or taking medication, moving to a facility that provides

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问题     As people age and need more help with daily activities, such as bathing or taking medication, moving to a facility that provides some assistance, without sacrificing independence, may be an option. This type of environment, known as assisted living, has emerged in the past two decades as an increasingly available option for housing and long-term care. The growth of assisted living facilities has leveled off in recent years, however, as the economic downturn hampered new construction and occupancy rates.
    In 2007, there were approximately 38 000 assisted living facilities nationwide, serving about 975000 residents. The overwhelming majority of assisted living residents in the United States are female, according to the National Center for Assisted Living. One of the most common types of facilities that provide assisted living are called continuing care retirement communities, which offer a stepwise approach to care, says Kerry Peck, an elder law attorney based in Chicago. "The concept is you age in place," meaning you never have to leave the grounds for housing, he says, "You buy an apartment or cottage, and then as your health declines, the facility agrees to provide continuing care. Some of the most successful centers have independent living, then assisted living, then a nursing home for acute care. "
    But much like deciding whether a nursing home is necessary, the decision to move into an assisted living facility is not an easy one. So what factors should you consider when looking for a place to move to? Mainly, you should think about what activities you or your loved one need help with. People residing in assisted living facilities may need assistance with any number of daily activities, such as bathing, dressing, using the bathroom, cooking or eating. About 87 percent of residents need help preparing meals, for example, and 81 percent need help with managing or taking their medications, reports the NCAL. Most residents come from living in private homes or apartments; fewer come from living with adult children or other family members, from nursing home facilities, retirement or independent living communities, or another assisted living or group home.
    For some people, however, assisted living may not be an option, mostly for financial reasons. Assisted living facilities cost an average of $ 34 000 annually in 2009, compared to about $ 74 000 per year for a nursing home, according to research published in January in Health Affairs. How this expense is paid varies. Residents can buy into a facility by paying a large, upfront sum of money, followed by smaller monthly assessment fees. Or if the resident opts for a facility where he can rent instead, he would pay monthly for the cost of housing and care. The facilities are also mostly located in areas where home values are higher and people nearby have higher incomes.
From the first paragraph, we learn that ______.

选项 A、elderly people living in assisted living facilities have to be accompanied all the time
B、fluctuation of economy can have no much effect on the construction of assisted living facilities
C、assisted living facilities have been always increasing rapidly
D、assisted living facilities have become more and more popular in the past 20 years

答案D

解析 从第一段第二句可以看出,生活辅助社区作为可满足对住房和长期护理需求的越来越可行的选择,在过去的20年中已经出现,因此[D]符合文意,故为正确答案。第一段第一句指出,随着人们年龄的增长,……搬到能够提供一些帮助而不用牺牲独立性的地方,或许是一种选择。由此可以看出,生活在辅助社区的老人有自己的独立性,不需要人一直陪伴,故[A]不正确。第一段末句指出,经济低迷制约了新的建设,可见生活辅助社区的建设受经济影响很大,因此[B]不符合文意。第一段末句指出,生活辅助社区的增长在最近几年已经趋于平稳,因此它并不是一直在快速增长.故[C]不正确。  
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