What’s the Difference Between Assisted Living and Nursing Homes?
When it comes to long-term care options, assisted living and nursing homes serve different needs. Assisted living is ideal for seniors who want a bit of independence but could use some help with everyday activities. Nursing homes are better suited for individuals with more complex medical needs. They provide round-the-clock nursing care and have licensed nurses and trained staff available to help with everything from daily tasks to skilled nursing services. Seniors can receive short-term care in a skilled nursing facility or long-term care in a nursing home.
We understand that finding the right care for yourself or a loved one can be overwhelming. It’s okay if you don't know exactly what kind of care you or your loved one needs. That's why we're here to help you navigate the differences between nursing homes and assisted living communities.
Who Can Benefit Most From Assisted Living?
Assisted living may be the best option for you or your loved one if you’re looking for care that allows you to stay independent while still receiving the assistance you need. Our assisted living residents love maintaining a sense of community and a vibrant lifestyle with the added support they may need.
Who Can Benefit Most From Nursing Homes?
A nursing home could be the best option if you or your loved one require long-term medical care for things such as a serious medical condition, time-sensitive medication management or other kinds of extensive care or treatment.
What is Skilled Nursing?
Skilled nursing communities are supportive environments that provide healthcare resources like physical, occupational and speech therapy. Brookdale’s skilled nursing team provides round-the-clock nursing care seven days a week.
The terms “skilled nursing facility” and “nursing home” are often used interchangeably, but the biggest difference is the length of stay. Residents receiving skilled nursing care likely need short-term treatment to recover from an injury or hospitalization, whereas nursing homes are designed for more long-term care.
Assisted Living, Nursing Homes and Skilled Nursing: What Are the Differences?
At Brookdale, we take pride in providing exceptional senior living services that cater to a range of needs. While assisted living communities, nursing homes and skilled nursing all offer care for seniors who need assistance with daily life, there are some key differences that are important to consider when looking for care.
Assisted Living
- Home-like environment
- Private apartment
- Social programming and experiences
- Dining room
- Assistance with activities of daily living
- Events and fitness classes
Nursing Homes
- Long-term care
- Medical environment
- Private or shared room
- Group activities
- Dining services or modified diet as needed
- Clinical services such as feeding tubes, wound care and extensive medications
- End-of-life or hospice care
Skilled Nursing
- Short-term care
- Rehab setting
- Clinical services such as IV treatments, post hospital care, physical therapy and occupational therapy
- Addressing diagnoses such as stroke and heart failure
- Dining services or modified diet as needed
- Shared or private rooms
What Kind of Care Do You Receive?
Assisted living communities are designed to support seniors who want to live in a home-like environment but require help with activities of daily living.
In a Brookdale assisted living community, you or your loved one will:
- Receive assistance with things like bathing, dressing, mobility and medication management.
- Have opportunities to make connections and build friendships at social events.
- Utilize scheduled transportation services for fun excursions.
Nursing homes, on the other hand, provide a higher level of clinical care and supervision for seniors with more complex medical needs. Nursing homes are:
- Staffed by licensed healthcare professionals, such as nurses and therapists, who provide specialized clinical care, such as wound care, IV therapy, and physical, occupational and speech therapy.
- Tend to have a more clinical atmosphere, with a greater focus on nursing care and less emphasis on socializing, compared to the vibrant social atmosphere often found in assisted living communities.
Factors That Affect Costs
One of the most common questions in the search for assisted living or a nursing home is, "Can I afford the cost of senior living?" It's a question that crosses the minds of almost everyone. We know that the cost of care is an important consideration for families and seniors exploring their senior living options. While the cost of care can vary depending on location, services and level of care, some general differences exist between the costs of assisted living and nursing homes.
Assisted Living
Nursing Homes
Assisted living communities typically offer a lower level of care and supervision than nursing homes, making them a more cost-effective option for seniors who require assistance with daily activities but do not need round-the-clock skilled nursing care. Some of our assisted living locations have access to on-site outpatient therapy if seniors end up needing it down the road.
Nursing homes provide 24-hour skilled nursing care and rehabilitation services, which can make them a more expensive option for seniors with more complex medical needs.
Why Choose Assisted Living?
While both care types provide assistance with activities of daily living, assisted living at Brookdale offers a sense of community that is hard to find in a nursing home. We tailor our activities and events specifically to our residents, so they can truly thrive and enjoy every moment. From lively entertainment to social gatherings, there's always something happening that brings people together and puts a smile on their faces.
Assisted living at Brookdale can be a more affordable option for seniors who don't require constant skilled nursing care. We provide a wide range of social and recreational activities to help our residents stay active, connected and engaged. And we're here to lend a hand with tasks like managing medications, bathing, and dressing – all those little things that make life easier.
If you still have questions about which care solution is right for you, contact one of our senior living advisors. They can answer your questions and connect you to an assisted living or skilled nursing facility near you.
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