Making the decision to move into a senior housing community can be challenging and confusing. Finding the best facility for your living situation can be downright overwhelming. The first step in making your decision less overwhelming is to narrow down your options to the two main types of facilities: assisted living vs. nursing home (aka skilled nursing facility).
Although for many years, older people dreaded those two words -- nursing home – this type of facility can be the right choice for certain people (and is certainly nothing to dread). Then, there are those that are a better fit for assisted living. It’s important to consider your loved one’s, physical, social and health needs. Once you do, the decision can be fairly simple. Here are some pros and cons of assisted living vs. nursing home to help you decide.
Assisted Living
Assisted living does just that. The staff at these communities assists their clients’ with activities of daily life (ADL). The residents at these communities are still active and vital, and can handle most of their daily routine on their own. They don’t require constant monitoring or significant regular medical care. Autonomy is encouraged and privacy is respected. They enjoy their personal freedom, but are comforted by the fact that they have assistance nearby if they do need it. The social and activity programs help their residents thrive.
Pros:
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More home-like residences
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More autonomy
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More privacy
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Lower average monthly cost than a nursing home
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Robust social and physical activity calendar
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Long term care insurance and some Veteran’s programs may offer financial assistance
Cons:
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Not generally covered by Medicare and Medicaid
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Not regulated by the Federal Government
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Does not have extensive medical care on premises
Nursing Home (aka Skilled Nursing Facility)
A skilled nursing facility, as the name suggests, has skilled, licensed nurses and other medical professionals on staff. Nursing home residents rely on assistance with most or all activities of daily living, such as meals, bathing, dressing and toileting. Clients, due to more severe cognitive and health-related conditions, get more individual medical attention and monitoring. Their personal freedom is more restricted due to dementia, and other mental and physical challenges. Clients don’t need to be hospitalized but can’t live at home independently.
Pros:
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24/7 Round the clock medical care
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Licensed nurses and other medical professionals on staff
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Regulated by the Federal Government
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Some costs maybe covered by Medicare, Medicaid and private health insurance
Cons:
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Average monthly costs tend to be higher than assisted living
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Limited personal freedom
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Limited autonomy
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More hospital-like than homey
Still overwhelmed? Contact us today to get help in figuring out if assisted living or a nursing home is the better fit for you or your loved one.
