Everyone wants to remain able and vital as long as possible, but there are certain situations and circumstances when a person needs extra help in order to maximize their quality of life. Fortunately, there are a variety of care options available, from minimal daily assistance to full-time medical supervision, designed to meet different needs and lifestyles. To help you understand which option may be the best fit, let’s take a closer look at how assisted living communities compare to nursing homes.
Related Blog: Top 5 Common Misconceptions About Assisted Living
What is an Assisted Living Community?
Assisted living is a type of living arrangement where an individual has a private (or shared) room or apartment within a specific community. These assisted living communities can vary in size, from a few dozen residents who share a large, specially-equipped home, to a few hundred residents that occupy a large building or buildings, each with their own private apartment.
Services Provided in Assisted Living
What makes assisted living arrangements unique are the services they provide. If someone is part of an assisted living community, they can receive help with medication reminders and management, bathing and bathroom assistance (if needed), housekeeping assistance, meal delivery, or an option to gather with others for community meals.
Assisted living communities are great for people who want to maintain a level of independence while taking advantage of services that handle some of the more strenuous daily activities, such as cleaning and cooking.
Additional Benefits of Assisted Living Communities
One of the greatest advantages of assisted living is flexibility. Residents can choose how much privacy or social interaction they prefer. They can participate in some of the leisure activities offered by the facility, such as card playing, musical entertainment, or an outside group excursion to play putt-putt golf. When they are done socializing with their friends, they can retreat to their own room or apartment.
Is Assisted Living the Same as an Independent Living Community?
While assisted living and independent living share some similarities, they serve different needs. Independent living communities are made up of seniors who are able to live on their own and manage their own affairs, but prefer to live near other like-minded individuals primarily for social reasons.
Independent living communities typically offer a variety of group social activities and may offer services such as meal preparation, laundry, housekeeping, etc. Residents typically have their own apartment or small home within the community.
What is a Nursing Home?
A nursing home is a facility that offers medical care and assistance to residents 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Although nursing homes do not necessarily have doctors on staff, both Medicare and Medicaid-certified nursing homes are required to have a licensed nurse on-site, at least part of every day. Nursing homes are for individuals who require 24-hour supervision, with easy access to trained medical help. The nursing home staff takes care of all household activities such as meal preparation, laundry, cleaning, changing bed linens, etc.
Nursing home residents will also receive medication management and physical assistance with activities such as getting in and out of bed, bathing, eating, getting dressed, and toileting. It is also worth noting that nursing home stays are not always permanent. Many residents stay temporarily to recover from surgery, illness, or injury before returning home or transitioning to assisted living.
What’s the Difference Between a Nursing Home and Assisted Living?
The key difference between assisted living and nursing homes lies in the level of medical care provided. Assisted living is best suited for individuals who can manage most daily activities but need occasional support. Nursing homes, on the other hand, are designed for those who require continuous medical attention and full-time personal care.
For individuals who value independence but want the peace of mind that help is nearby, assisted living offers an ideal middle ground.
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