As people age, many will need some assistance at some point. Some move to assisted living communities, while others choose nursing homes.
Around 83.1% of people living in nursing homes are 65 or older, but people under this age also need some help. When you or a loved one needs help, you might compare assisted living vs nursing home differences.
Both provide care and assistance to the residents, but these options have significant differences. Continue reading as we explore some of these differences at Rock Hill, SC, senior care communities.
What Is Assisted Living?
Assisted living provides a step up for seniors living alone at home, giving seniors an excellent mix of independence and assistance. At an assisted living community, seniors have private rooms or apartments.
They live in these rooms and can use the space as they desire. They can decorate the rooms, lock the doors, and have the desired privacy.
Seniors living in assisted living also have access to assistance. There are people in the community who provide the help they need. Seniors can ask for help or schedule it for the tasks they cannot do alone.
One of the top assisted living benefits is access to senior activities. These communities plan fun events for the residents, such as game nights and outings.
Assisted living also has many other benefits, including meals and medication disbursement. Seniors can have a social life in assisted living while getting the help they need for daily activities.
What Is a Nursing Home?
A nursing home is a place that offers 24-hour supervision to the residents. Most centers offer semi-private and private rooms for the residents.
However, the residents do not have the same privacy level as those living in assisted living. Instead, there is a larger staff checking in on the residents many times throughout the day.
The staff helps the residents with every activity, including eating and bathing. Nursing home care is more in-depth and extensive, as the older adults living there generally need more care.
Many people begin receiving assistance by moving to assisted living first. When they need more help than what they receive in assisted living, they move to a nursing home.
Primary Assisted Living vs Nursing Home Differences
There are several significant differences between these senior living options. We’ll explore some of the main ones.
Level of Care
As you can see, the care level is one of the primary differences between assisted living and nursing homes. Nursing homes provide more care than assisted living.
As a result, people who need help with a few things might benefit from assisted living, while those needing a lot of help benefit from a nursing home.
A nursing home provides round-the-clock care, assisting seniors with everything they need. Assisted living assists only when requested or needed, providing the residents with more freedom.
Medical Services
The second primary difference is the medical services provided. Assisted living doesn’t provide medical services other than helping the seniors with their medication and vitals.
Seniors in nursing homes can receive medical help with many of their issues. For example, nursing homes provide wound care and rehabilitation services as needed.
Seniors in assisted living can schedule transportation services to doctor appointments to receive the care they need, and nursing home residents can receive the care they need there.
Living Arrangements
The living arrangements are also different. Assisted living provides private apartments for the residents, allowing them to live alone. As a result, they have privacy whenever they want it and more freedom and independence.
Nursing homes are more similar to hospitals. The residents either have a private room or share a room with someone else. However, staff is always able to walk in to assist or check on them.
Both settings provide meals to the residents, providing proper nutrition. Both also have access to activities and assistance.
Independence and Lifestyle
Seniors in assisted living have more access to activities and freedom. Therefore, they can do more things than those living in nursing homes.
Nursing homes are very structured and scheduled. They do similar things each day with little freedom for the residents.
Cost Differences
One of the most notable differences is costs. When comparing assisted living vs nursing home costs, you’ll find that nursing homes cost around twice as much as assisted living.
An assisted living community costs around $54,000 annually, on average, but some may cost more or less.
A resident pays around $108,408 annually for a private room in a nursing home. Nursing homes cost more because they provide more care, structure, and services than assisted living.
Seniors can pay the costs of long-term care facilities in several ways. For example, some are private pay, which means they pay themselves. Others may use Medicaid or long-term care insurance to cover the costs.
How to Choose the Best Option
After learning the differences, you can decide which is right for you or a loved one. You can decide by considering the following:
- Care and services
- Costs
- Independence desires
- Healthcare concerns
Every older adult who needs help is unique from others. Therefore, you must consider the individual person and their needs, desires, and concerns when deciding.
If you’re looking for the right solution for a loved one, ask them what they think. Involving them in the decision is helpful and thoughtful and makes them feel included.
You may also find that contacting a community is helpful. They can answer all your questions and help you make the right decision.
Schedule a Visit
Comparing assisted living vs nursing home differences are significant, yet both options provide helpful services for older adults. Whether you or a loved one needs help, consider the differences between these options.
Visiting an assisted living community and nursing home is also helpful when choosing. You can schedule an appointment to visit to learn more about your options.
TerraBella Rock Hill is located just south of Charlotte, SC, and offers several care levels. We provide a warm, compassionate atmosphere with a team focusing on attentive care for every resident.
Contact us today to learn more or to schedule a visit. We look forward to hearing from you.
