Navigating the various senior living options can be overwhelming. However, understanding what each level of care provides is crucial for making the best decision for your loved one.
Assisted living and nursing homes offer different services, levels of care, lifestyles, costs, and payment options. This blog from Provision Living highlights five key differences to help you understand what to expect in your search for senior living.
Assisted Living vs. Nursing Home Care – Which Is Right for Your Loved One?
1. Services
Assisted Living: An assisted living community provides residents with assistance and support for activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, medication management, and meal preparation. Assisted living also offers housekeeping and laundry services, transportation, daily meals, and social activities. These services are focused on keeping the resident safe and comfortable while promoting as much independence and enrichment as possible.
Nursing Home: In addition to support for activities of daily living, nursing homes provide round-the-clock medical care and supervision. Services may include wound care, IV therapy, physical therapy, and more complex medical management, often for chronic health conditions. Nursing home residents also enjoy activities and special events based on their interests and abilities to encourage engagement and meaningful living.
2. Level of Care
Assisted Living: The level of care in an assisted living community is often less frequent and more supportive. Assisted living is more appropriate for older adults who are mostly independent but benefit from some daily assistance to maintain a high quality of life.
Nursing Home: Nursing homes are ideal for adults with significant health care needs, including chronic illnesses, late-stage dementia, or severely limited mobility. An interdisciplinary team is available 24 hours a day to meet the needs of residents in a long-term care setting.
3. Lifestyle
Assisted Living: Assisted living typically offers a variety of apartment floor plans to accommodate lifestyle and preferences, including studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom options. Each apartment usually features a private bath, a kitchenette, and the freedom to make the space your own. Residents can socialize in common dining and activity spaces designed to improve overall well-being and foster a sense of community.
Nursing Home: Nursing homes feature private or semi-private rooms with private baths. The rooms are typically smaller than assisted living apartments and do not include a kitchen or living space. Residents enjoy meals in their rooms or in a communal dining room. Similar to assisted living, residents can participate in social activities and special programs in an activity room.
4. Cost
Assisted Living: Costs for assisted living communities vary based on the size of apartment, location of the community, and the level of assistance needed. Generally, assisted living is less expensive than nursing homes because they do not provide round-the-clock medical care.
Nursing Home: The cost of nursing homes is typically higher due to the comprehensive medical care provided. Expenses cover living accommodations, 24/7 medical attention, meals, services, therapies, and more.
5. Payment Options
Assisted Living: Payment options for assisted living often include private pay, long-term care insurance, and Veterans benefits.
Nursing Home: Nursing homes usually have a wider range of payment options. Residents requiring long-term care in a nursing home may be private pay, use Medicare to cover a portion of the costs, or utilize long-term care insurance or Veterans benefits. Some nursing homes have a select number of Medicaid-eligible rooms for seniors who qualify for this limited-income insurance.
Explore Assisted Living at Provision Living
From distinctive care services, innovative technology, and world-class companionship activities, Provision Living is the community that empowers residents to live their best lives — each and every day.
