TL;DR
Assisted living and nursing homes both support seniors but differ in care level, cost, and lifestyle. Assisted living suits active seniors who may require only minimal help, while nursing homes provide 24/7 medical supervision. Understanding these distinctions helps families choose the best environment for safety, comfort, and long-term well-being.
Main Points:
- Assisted living: For fairly independent seniors needing help with daily activities like bathing or dressing.
- Nursing homes: Medical-first facilities offering constant skilled nursing and specialized care.
- Cost difference: Nursing homes are typically more expensive due to higher medical support.
- Insurance coverage: Varies; nursing homes more likely to accept Medicaid/Medicare.
- Best fit: Assisted living for active seniors; nursing homes for those with advanced care needs.
When it’s time to upgrade your elderly loved one’s living situation, it’s smart to consider your options. Not all senior living settings are identical, after all.
If you have already conducted some research, you’ve likely already discovered assisted living options and nursing homes. But are these different names for the same thing, or individualized settings for different kinds of seniors?
In this article, we will answer the question “What is the difference between assisted living and nursing home settings?”. We will also help equip you with the insights you need to determine which setting is best for your loved one.
Different Levels of Care
While some tend to use “assisted living” and “nursing home” interchangeably, don’t fall into this trap. The two are, in fact, distinct concepts supporting different kinds of seniors.
How Do Assisted Living Facilities Work?
Assisted living refers to elderly communities where fairly able seniors live and congregate. These settings are ideal for seniors who may need some support for some activities of daily living (ADL), which could include:
- Bathing
- Dressing
- Incontinence
- Mobility
- And More
No two seniors in an assisted living community will ever have identical capabilities or limitations. However, all commonly feature some form of ability to carry out their lives. Communities of this sort are not for the infirm or bedridden. Similarly, they are not for those who require intensive or specialized medical interventions.
But how do assisted living facilities work, really? These settings operate almost like dormitories. Here, residents enjoy private quarters and communal spaces alike as they tap into their community.
Some even offer VIP respite care to seniors who want the opportunity to “try out” assisted living for themselves.
How Do Nursing Homes Work?
Nursing homes, on the other hand, are medical-first senior communities. Here, residents get access to round-the-clock services to help aid their deep and potentially specialized medical needs. Benefits of these communities include:
- Specialized nursing and medical care,
- 24-hour support and supervision,
- Rehabilitation and therapy support,
- Memory care,
- And more.
As you might imagine, nursing homes are more equipped offer the kinds of round-the-clock care family members simply cannot provide for their loved one. Skilled and trained staff typically help support residents through all hours of the day and night.
While assisted living communities offer support for residents, that support is typically offered throughout daylight, working hours. After hours, residents are left to their own devices, with crews maintaining building security and essential functions until dawn. Nursing homes work differently because each hour of a resident’s day is monitored for health and safety.
Cost Considerations
Since the differences between assisted living or nursing homes are significant, it’s no surprise their costs differ too. In fact, nursing homes can sometimes be much more expensive than assisted living settings.
Why? It all comes down to the availability and level of care. While both settings offer seniors a supportive place to call home, only nursing homes offer specialized medical support. And that specialized support comes with a premium.
So, how much does assisted living cost? And how much does a nursing home cost by comparison? Nursing homes in the United States can sometimes cost double what a comparable room in an assisted living setting might run you.
Insurance Coverages
While nursing homes sometimes accept Medicaid, Medicare, VA benefits, and more, not all assisted living communities do. Of course, this will vary by state and community alike. As with anything, it’s always best to go to the source. This will help you determine if coverages match your family’s situation and need.
A Comfortable Place for Your Elderly Loved One
So, now that you know how nursing homes work and how assisted living facilities work, the next steps become clearer. Regardless of your choice of assisted living or nursing home, you’re doing right by your loved one. And the research you’re undertaking is an important first step.
Know that in many cases, a senior community is preferable to a life lived alone. Beyond companionship, senior communities offer safe, consistent, and supportive settings for seniors to live their best lives. And in some cases, such as nursing homes, they offer the specialized support a helpful family member might not be able to.
Your loved one deserves to be comfortable, well supported, and happy in this next phase of their life. They’ve lived long and well, and anything less than the best simply won’t do.
If your loved one doesn’t need a specialty nursing home but would benefit from a senior-friendly setting, your search can end here. Consider the Gardens of Sun City. Our vibrant senior community offers residents countless benefits that make everyday life safer, more convenient, and more fun.
From nutritious meals to convenient on-site programming, the Gardens of Sun City is designed for seniors who expect the best from life. Neighbors here find an assisted living community that meets their needs in style. Plus, with a stable of amenities ready to meet their changing needs, they can call The Gardens of Sun City home for the long run.
Are you ready to give your loved one a setting they deserve? Learn more about our assisted living facility here.