Assisted living and nursing homes are two types of senior living that differ in many ways. Here are some key differences between the two:
Assisted Living:
- Provides support for seniors who are generally active but need help with daily tasks.
- Offers a more independent lifestyle than nursing homes.
- Residents can maintain an active lifestyle while benefiting from support with daily activities like dressing, bathing, cleaning, or using the toilet.
- Focuses on keeping residents happy and healthy.
- Offers well-balanced meals and nutritious snacks each day.
- Provides a safe environment with features to help residents stay safe.
Nursing Homes:
- Offers long-term medical care for adults with serious health issues.
- Provides more advanced levels of care than assisted living.
- Typically costs more than assisted living due to the higher level of care.
- Provides personal care for Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) such as dressing and bathing as well as assistance with meals, housekeeping, and laundry.
- Focuses on providing medical assistance to those that need it.
When deciding between assisted living and a nursing home, its important to consider your level of independence, support needs, and overall health condition. If you are hoping to maintain as much independence as possible and only need help with daily activities, assisted living may be a great fit. If you have chronic or severe health problems, nursing homes may be a better option due to the advanced level of care they provide.
