How is Assisted Living Different from a Nursing Home?
April 13, 2022 | Resources
As seniors consider retirement community and health care options, the question arises of what exactly is Assisted Living and how does is differ from Nursing Home care?
The answer lies primarily in the level of care and setting in which that care is delivered.
Assisted Living falls between the complete independence of Independent Living and the need for round-the-clock medical care provided by a Nursing Home.
Assisted Living offers an appropriate level of care for residents who need help with Activities of Daily Living, or ADLs, but continue to live independently, usually in an apartment home.
These residents may need some help getting showered or getting to community events, but they are generally safe and able to care for themselves on their own. In fact, the goal of Assisted Living is to maximize independence, customizing help according to a resident’s needs.
Nursing Home care, unlike Assisted Living care, is given in a more hospital-like setting rather than a home setting.
This level of care is a higher, more intense level of medical care that is needed consistently by a resident for a given amount of time. Some residents may need Nursing Home care, for example, following surgery or an illness, and can return to Assisted Living when they recover. Joint replacement requiring extensive use of a wheelchair or walker or need for specialized therapies could also necessitate the medical care provide by a Nursing Home.
This list summarizes the differences between Assisted Living and Nursing Home care:
Living Accommodations
- Assisted Living: home-like setting; usually an apartment; couples may live together; often pet-friendly
- Nursing Home: more hospital-like setting
Length of Stay
- Assisted Living: as long as resident is comfortable and receiving appropriate level of care
- Nursing Home: depends on recovery time and individual needs but usually not longer than six months
Staff
- Assisted Living: certified care staff and aids; support staff; may have nursing staff to assist with medication
- Nursing Home: skilled nurses; doctor oversight of care; support staff
Activities
- Assisted Living: organized social and wellness activities and often transportation to events, such as shopping or entertainment
- Nursing Home: limited because medical needs take precedence
Level of Care
- Assisted Living: individualized according to resident’s needs; can include help bathing, dressing, using the bathroom, eating
- Nursing Home: 24/7 medical care; considered care one step below that of a hospital
Costs
- Assisted Living: the national average is $3,750 per month, according to seniorliving.org
- Nursing Home: roughly twice the cost of Assisted Living care
Specifics of care vary according to individual communities. Some Assisted Living care may be delivered on the campus of a Life Plan Community, for example. These communities often allow for aging in place, and may be able to deliver more care services to their residents in Assisted Living.
Communities usually have specific criteria for admission to their programs providing various levels of care. Understanding what each community offers at every level of care is essential to finding the best care services for loved ones.
At Foxwood Springs retirement community, we’re small enough that you’ll see familiar faces everywhere. And large enough that you’ll explore exceptional experiences at every turn. Come join our group of very active residents, who participate in clubs and groups, lend their experience to community government, and volunteer for favorite causes, both on and off campus. Visit our secluded oasis in the perfect suburban location, with easy access to all the places you want to explore, all the friends you want to meet, and all the discoveries you want to make.
