Assisted Living vs Nursing Home

When you grow concerned about the safety, well-being, and even needed social contact for your elderly loved one, the decision to look into senior living facilities can be overwhelming.  However, the ultimate goal of providing better medical care and more social opportunities can also provide peace of mind for the entire family. The two most common forms of senior living are nursing homes and assisted living facilities that each have benefits and drawbacks depending upon the needs of your loved one.  Here are some basic questions to consider.

What level of medical care do you need?

The main difference between assisted living facilities and nursing homes is the level of medical care a resident receives (or needs) and the freedom the resident is allowed.  In most nursing homes, many residents need constant medical supervision especially for seniors with: complicated medical conditions that require regular monitoring, mild to moderate dementia, and or problems with incontinence.  Nursing home residents typically need assistance with daily living and are not capable of living independently. Round-the-clock nurse assistance, physician oversight and in depth custodial services are hallmarks of a licensed nursing home. Nursing Home residents are likely to remain on the grounds of the facility mainly because they are physically or mentally unable to leave.

Assisted living facilities are ideal for seniors who need help with a few activities of daily living such as dressing, eating and bathing but don’t require serious medical attention.  In most states assisted living staff can not legally administer medication but may only hand it to a resident at the required time.  Assisted living can work well for people with mild cognitive problems who might still drive, enjoy coming and going freely while still like having the security of medical supervision and social interaction with other residents.

How do the facilities of nursing homes differ from assisted living?

Assisted Living Homes come in various forms including larger, apartment-style buildings or smaller, family run homes. In general most assisted living options are created to be comfortable and homey.  They often consist of private apartment style rooms that allow the resident to decorate with their own, familiar furnishings.  They offer medical assistance services without the typical nurses station and are void of the institutional feel that are typical of hospitals,

Nursing homes also have a variety of types of living quarters including: private, semi-private or larger apartment style living quarters.  Many nursing homes also provide social activities, cafeterias, housekeeping services and many even offer salon services.  Each home is different so certainly shop around – looking carefully at services and facilities to find one that fits both your physical needs and personal style.

Resources:

• www.assistedlivinghomes.com
• assistedlivingfacilities.org
• Dr. Catherine Hawes (leading expert on long term care for seniors) New York Times “Assisted Living or a Nursing Home”
• Finding the Right Level of Elder Care
• Avvo.com “Nursing Homes vs Assisted Living – What is right for you?”
• Skilled Nursing Facilities – www.skillednursingfacilities.org (charts and lists comparing nursing homes and assisted living facilities)

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