You cannot prevent aging. As the human body ages, it becomes prone to several medical conditions. Some of the health concerns in the elderly are Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, memory loss, among others. These health conditions need serious attention, and you have to consider different elderly care options like Nursing Home or Assisted living.
People often use these terms interchangeably, while there is a huge difference between them. Here we have discussed nursing home comparison with assisted living to help you choose the right one.
What is Assisted Living?
Assisted Living facilities are ideal for older adults who can take care of themselves for most things. They need a little assistance with personal care like showering, daily household tasks like laundry and cleaning, and cooking. When you choose an assisted living option for your loved one, your loved one gets an apartment with a private kitchen and bathroom.
These facilities offer extensive recreational facilities, non-medical transportation, meals, laundry, and housekeeping.
What is a Nursing Home?
A nursing home works best for people who need a higher level of daily care. The elderly who need help in getting dressed, getting in and out of bed, or using the restroom need to be admitted to a nursing home. If the older person needs frequent medical care, the nursing home is equipped to provide it.
Most families choose a nursing home when they think they cannot provide adequate care to their loved one.
Now that you know the basic difference between assisted living and nursing homes, we will look at Assisted Living vs. Nursing Home comparison.
Living space- Nursing homes have private or shared rooms. The nursing home facility does have some common indoor areas. On the other hand, the assisted living facilities offer shared or private apartments and studios.
The number of residents- It depends on the size of the facility. Most nursing homes are large, which house 100 residents. The assisted living facility generally accommodates up to 50 individuals. However, some large assisted living facilities may accommodate up to 300 residents.
These are some of the important factors in Assisted Living vs. Nursing Home. The costs of the assisted living facility depends on the type and level of care offered. In general, assisted living is less costly than a nursing home.
Services and Care Provided In Senior Housing Facilities
Residents of a nursing home are more likely to have complex health conditions. They generally require the assistance of a speech therapist or skilled nurse. Some nursing homes are also equipped with respiratory care services.
On the other hand, the residents of the assisted living facility need custodial care. Many residents living in assisted living facilities are generally suffering from memory loss, and it is not safe to keep such people alone at home. Hence, their family members get them admitted to an assisted living facility where someone will always be present to look after them and keep them safe.
How These Facilities Differ In Physical Appearance?
An assisted living facility looks more like an upscale apartment community. Most nursing homes look institutional due to the kind of medical care they provide to residents.
To sum up, these are some of the differences between assisted living and nursing homes. You need to get your loved one admitted to the right type of elderly housing facility to keep them safe and healthy.
