Assisted Living vs. Nursing Home Care
Posted by Donna Mae Scheib on August 11, 2017
Assisted Living vs. Nursing Home Care
Which type of care is right for your aging loved one?
Long-term care consists of medical, personal, and social support offered to people who are no longer able to meet their basic living needs. There is lots of confusion today about the different types of long-term senior care available. A couple of the best-known types of long-term senior care are nursing care and assisted living.
What Is Assisted Living?
Assisted living facilities are places where residents can get help with activities of daily living. Residents in assisted living facilities don’t require constant care. Assisted living facilities range from small homes for just a few residents to large facilities accommodating hundreds of residents. Assisted living facilities are more like homes than hospitals, except residents can get help with activities such as the following:
- Bathing
- Dressing
- Medications
- Eating
- Meal preparation
- Transportation
- Housekeeping and laundry
Other services that assisted living homes might offer include health and exercise programs, social and recreational activities, and emergency call systems. Assisted living care isn’t covered by health insurance, Medicare or Medicaid. Long-term care insurance does help cover assisted living, but most people pay for it out of pocket.
Skilled Nursing Facilities
Also known as skilled nursing facilities, nursing homes provide care around the clock to seniors who require constant medical supervision by a physician. In nursing homes, there are licensed practical nurses (LPNs) on duty 24/7 and a registered nurse (RN) is required to be on duty at least 8 hours per day. On the other hand, at assisted living facilities, RNs and LPNs might be accessible but they aren’t always present.
Nursing homes offer hospital-like services and are necessary for seniors who have chronic medical conditions, permanent disabilities, or severe pain. Residents in nursing homes are unable to live alone or independently, and also require assistance with personal care, meals, housekeeping, and other daily activities.
Nursing homes are heavily regulated and must be licensed and inspected by state and federal agencies. Medicare, Medicaid, private health insurance, or long-term care insurance may pay for nursing home care.
Which Long-Term Care Option Is the Best for My Loved One?
If an aging loved one is becoming frail, experiencing mobility issues, or feeling lonely or depressed but isn’t facing any major medical issues, it could mean that he or she needs to be in a senior care facility. Some telltale signs that a senior might require assisted living care include having difficulty keeping track of medications, neglecting grooming and personal hygiene, missing social engagements, and frequently falling or having accidents. A nursing home would be a better option if your loved one is suffering from a chronic illness and requires care around the clock.
Start Your Search for a Senior Living Home with Senior Living Link
Finding the right long-term care home can be a daunting process. There are many different options to choose from, and each facility is equipped to care for seniors with different mobility and medical needs.
Senior Living Link is a senior home directory that features nursing homes from around the country. It’s totally free to use. Find a senior living community near you!