How does assisted living compare to nursing homes or independent living facilities? What are some things to consider before choosing between these two types of care?
Assisted living is a type of housing designed specifically for older adults who require assistance with daily activities.
Those activities include bathing, dressing, grooming, meal preparation, medication management, etc.
Assisted living residents typically live independently, but they receive support from staff members 24 hours per day.
There are several benefits to assisted living over nursing homes or independent living.
For starters, assisted living offers a higher level of independence, privacy, and security.
Residents also enjoy a lower cost of living because they don’t have to pay for meals, laundry, housekeeping services, transportation, or medical expenses.
If you consider moving into assisted living, it’s essential to weigh your options carefully.
While there are many advantages to the community living option, not all communities offer the same amenities and services.
In addition, the costs associated with assisted living vary depending on where you plan to move. Learn more about how assisted living compares to other senior living options by reading our informative guide below:
Benefits To Assisted Living
Several benefits of assisted living make this lifestyle appealing to seniors. First, it provides an affordable alternative to traditional retirement living.
This means less pressure to sell your home, downsize your current residence, or relocate during your golden years.
It also gives you greater freedom to pursue interests outside of work throughout retirement. You can continue working part-time while still enjoying life in assisted living.
The facility will provide you access to skilled caregivers if needed, staying active and engaged without worrying about managing everything yourself.
In addition, assisted living reduces stress levels and allows you to maintain a healthy diet. If you choose a community close enough to family or friends, you may be able to visit them regularly.
The main drawback of this lifestyle choice is the potential need for increased supervision as you age. However, most communities allow you to arrange for regular visits from relatives and friends.
What Are Some Costs Associated With Assisted Living?
The average monthly cost of assisted living varies based on the location of your chosen community. Three primary factors affect pricing:
- Caregiving costs – These include wages paid to healthcare professionals, room and board compensation, supplies for patient care, and utilities like electricity and heating fuel.
- Equipment rentals – Facilities want to ensure their spaces are well maintained. Hence, they rent out equipment, including beds, wheelchairs, walkers, bathtubs, showers, toilets, and electric carts.
- Staffing – An assisted living community needs to hire qualified professionals to oversee the entire operation. Additionally, some facilities have specialized departments that require additional staffing.
The cost of assisted living also depends on the lifestyle preferences you select. For example, larger communities tend to charge higher prices than smaller towns. In addition, the price tag can differ significantly between private and public assisted living centers.
Additional Helpful Information About Assisted Living
What Type Of Services Do Communities Offer?
Most assisted living communities offer at least one service for every resident. Here’s a list of the essential services offered by most communities:
- Meal Preparation
- Transportation
- Home Maintenance
- Personal Care
- Housekeeping
- Laundry/Dry Cleaning
- Medication Management
- Resident Education
- Social Activities
- Recreational Activities
Assisted living facilities take pride in offering residents individualized attention.
The community staff works closely with each resident to create a customized menu that meets their unique dietary needs.
In addition, staff members help residents find activities that match their interests and hobbies.
To learn more about specific features available with different types of assisted living, check out our guide below:
Private Vs. Public Assisted Living
Public assisted living offers a lower monthly rate than its private counterpart. However, it comes with certain drawbacks.
Residents must pay for the majority of services themselves. Private assisted living includes at least two nursing assistants to round out the daily routine.
For these reasons, many people prefer private senior housing over public facilities.
Types Of Assisted Living
Personal Care Homes
These residences provide personal care for seniors who still enjoy a high level of independence. Usually, no caregiver is required.
As long as residents follow the rules set forth by their particular community, they can stay there as long as they wish.
Independent Living
This facility offers assistance in bathing, dressing, grooming, medication management, and meal preparation.
No personal care is provided. Residents usually do not need any special accommodations and can move around freely within the home.
Respite Care
This accommodation provides short-term respite for families whose loved ones need extra support. It may be offered in an independent living community or in a hotel.
What You Should Expect From Your Assisted Living Facility?
An assisted living center should offer a comfortable environment where residents can feel safe and secure. The facility should include:
- A common area
- A library
- Well-maintained grounds
- Several dining options
- Upgraded furniture
Suppose your family member has Alzheimer’s disease. In that case, they will likely benefit from a program that helps caregivers understand the condition better.
Your loved one will receive personalized treatment while enjoying a stimulating environment.
A good assisted living facility will also allow you to visit often without feeling like a bother. Plus, you must know what your loved one would like.
So, when picking an assisted living facility, remember that this is someone else’s home — not yours.
The best place to live is where we are happy. But, of course, we all want to get old gracefully.
Still, some of us don’t have a choice if we’re dealing with chronic illness, disabilities, or even age itself.
But no matter where we end up living, whether our own homes or temporary places like nursing homes, assisted living facilities, etc., let’s ensure we’re getting the best possible care.
That means finding a location with excellent staff, amenities, and plenty of activities, so we can spend every day feeling fulfilled instead of stressed.
When we think of living arrangements for elderly individuals, most of us picture our parents living alone in a retirement community.
This is certainly an option, especially when Mom and Dad need help with basic needs like eating, toileting, and going to the bathroom. Still, it’s not really the only way to go.
For example, suppose Mom and Dad choose to remain in the same residence as before. In that case, chances are they’ll continue to take care of themselves.
Still, what if they decide to rely on professional caretakers to assist them with those tasks? In that case, they’re moving into assisted living.
However, their decision to relocate must consider how their new surroundings will fit their current lifestyle.
For many people, relocating to an assisted living facility can conjure up images of senior citizens shuffling down hallways and being spoon-fed meals.
While these facilities are available, they aren’t necessary for everyone. However, they do come at a price, and other alternatives present a variety of benefits.
There are several things to consider when choosing between assisted living facilities and staying in one’s home. First, do you need 24-hour care?
Do you require round-the-clock assistance? If yes, then assisted living may be right for you. On the other hand, if you prefer more independence, perhaps you’d fare better by remaining in your own home.
Another thing to consider is whether you’ve got the money to pay for such services.
For example, some assisted living centers charge fees based on income levels.
And lastly, if you’re unsure about what you might need, talk to a local senior advocate.
They will be able to tell you if assisted living is right for you and point out any potential pitfalls.
Assisted living facilities generally offer three service packages: independent living, semi-independent living, and skilled nursing.
The difference is basically the level of supervision provided (or required) by the facility.
Independent living facilities allow residents to cook, clean, shop, exercise, and socialize without direct assistance from staff members.
Semi-independent living facilities require that residents perform certain chores independently while still receiving help with daily tasks such as bathing and dressing.
Skilled nursing facilities provide around-the-clock medical and nursing care and often include rehabilitation therapy, physical therapy, and speech therapy.
Independent Living
With independent living, seniors can move around freely and perform their own housekeeping duties.
In addition, these residences usually feature small group settings, ideal for families who want to travel with their loved ones.
Many independent living communities also provide transportation to and from doctor appointments and grocery shopping.
Semi-independent Living
A little less freedom than independent living, yet still allowing some personal autonomy, semi-independent living residences require seniors to take care of themselves slightly.
This includes making sure their rooms are clean, that food is prepared correctly, and that laundry is done regularly.
Residents here typically have access to an apartment kitchen where they can prepare meals or snacks using appliances and utensils supplied by the residents.
As with independent living, transportation to doctors’ visits and shopping trips is usually included in this type of arrangement.
Skilled Nursing
These types of facilities provide the highest degree of oversight and care.
Staff members are always on hand to ensure that patients receive proper medication dosages and that mental health issues don’t get too far out of control.
Because nurses and therapists work directly under the supervision of physicians, it’s essential to know what kind of specialists you’ll find at these centers.
For example, are the doctors board-certified in geriatrics? Are they familiar with Alzheimer’s treatments and therapies? Will they be willing to discuss end-of-life options with you?
Be sure to ask the receptionist to give you a list of all the doctors currently working at the center to make sure you choose a provider whose practice fits your needs.
Also, try to visit during off-hours so you can meet with staff members privately and see how busy each department really is.
Before choosing an assisted living community, check out our list of questions to ask before moving into a retirement home. It could save you time, money, and heartache later on.
Senior Citizens Health Care Information
There is no single cause for the negative effects of aging; it has simply happened over the years.
But there are things we can do now to delay the onset of age-related diseases or slow the effects of chronic conditions.
And that means we need to make healthy choices throughout life—choices that will prevent illness and help us live longer, healthier lives.
Learn more about Healthy Aging by thoroughly researching verified sites online.
Conclusion
To conclude this post, it should be noted that the facts mentioned above were just given as examples.
They do not suggest which option would be best suited for an individual. In addition, the goal was to educate individuals on the various options offered for assisted living.
It’s essential for individuals to carefully consider their situation when it comes to assisted care. Everyone has unique conditions and requirements.
Therefore, it is imperative to understand your situation and preferences to determine what will work. Then, you can decide whether assisted care will better suit your needs.
If you’re considering assisted living or already using assisted living services, please share what works well for you and what doesn’t. We hope that this guide helps!