Nursing homes and assisted living facilities are not the same thing. They are actually completely different. So, how do you know which is best for you or a loved one? The following will help you see the differences between nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
About Assisted Living Facilities
- Those living at an assisted living facility live in their own apartments with kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms and a separate living area just like in a regular apartment. This releases residents from the care and maintenance of a house while still allowing them to live on their own.
- Those living at an assisted living facility are usually in reasonably good health. They require no or limited medical care.
- Those living at an assisted living facility are independent. They live private, self-sufficient lives, except for a few assistance needs.
- Those living at an assisted living facility enjoy freedom and independence, while being protected in a secure atmosphere.
- Those living at an assisted living facility only need help with a few simple daily activities such as cooking, laundry, bathing, and household chores.
- Those living at an assisted living facility are active and do not need help just to make it through the day. They make their own decisions and enjoy social activities.
- Those living at an assisted living facility receive only the care needed.
About Nursing Homes
- Nursing home residents often share rooms with other patients and have very little privacy. The rooms resemble hospital rooms and are not equipped with kitchens like assisted living facility apartments.
- Nursing home residents are typically not in good health, either mentally or physically, and need a great deal of medical care. They receive around-the-clock nursing and the home is equipped with hospital equipment.
- Nursing home residents need help with many or all daily activities including, eating, dressing, bathing, and going to the restroom.
- Nursing home residents are not active. They are usually wheelchair bound or confined to a bed.
- Nursing home residents are not ready for hospital care, but need daily care because they are unable to live on their own.
- Nursing home residents receive physical therapy and rehabilitation treatments to help them become independent and possibly move to an assisted living facility. For example, a patient recovering from a stroke may only be a temporary resident.
- Nursing home residents are patients who are there to get well or to live out their lives.
Nursing homes and assisted living facilities are quite different. A person who is active and fairly independent would be miserable in a nursing home while a person who requires a lot of assistance and medical care needs a nursing home.