The question of where you want to live as you age will become increasingly important. At retirement, you or your family may have to choose between an assisted living facility or nursing home.

Both of these retirement centres or villages are likely to provide an excellent retirement experience. However, one may be better suited to your needs than the other.

You should also consider that nursing homes, which are more hands-on in their approach to helping residents, might not be required by retirees, or even residents in general, for many years. In this case, assisted living may be the right choice for you.

Let’s look at the following to see how you can decide between an assisted living home or nursing home.

Care Services or Types Of Care

The care and services provided to residents are the most important differences between these two types of aged-care facilities.

The facilities will offer minor assistance, such as helping with daily activities and personal care for residents, as well as managing and administering medications. There isn’t much more to add.

Those who are self-sufficient, and want to remain that way, are the ones most likely to benefit from assisted living.

Nursing homes offer the same services as assisted living homes. However, they also have the benefit of a skilled nursing staff and the ability to provide medical treatment when needed.

Kew Gardens is the perfect option for residents who require a bit more support and care. These facilities are for people who can’t move around and are unable to do their daily activities on their own. Nursing homes can also support people with mild to severe mental impairments.

Services beyond Care

This is when things start to get a bit different. It can make a big difference.

You’re interested in the range of activities offered by assisted living homes. They also offer transportation, meal preparation, laundry, and housekeeping. Imagine these places as a sort of paired-back, hotel that encourages socializing and mingling as well as sports and activities.

The nursing homes have a more relaxed atmosphere, as the residents are older and may require more assistance. Nursing homes will provide laundry, meal preparation, and housekeeping services, but there won’t be many recreational activities.

Both types of retirement homes will offer solutions for everyday housekeeping, food, and nutrition, but assisted living homes encourage a more active and social lifestyle.

Living Experience

The lifestyle and resident numbers are also important factors in determining the difference between these two types of facilities.

In nursing homes it’s common to find around 100 residents, and sometimes even less. This is because those who live in these places need more personal care.

In the case of assisted living homes you will find that they can accommodate up to 300 residents, who all live and mingle together in both their common and private spaces.

Private spaces in assisted-living homes are usually studios or apartments that offer a lifestyle which is less stereotypically “homey.” This means that many assisted-living homes come with private bathrooms, kitchens, and other amenities to make them feel like the homes that their residents have left.

Nursing homes are more reserved. These homes have a lot of shared or communal spaces and very little outdoor space for the residents. This means that there is less opportunity for outdoor activities.

Who each home is designed for

You may have guessed that each of these homes are designed for people with vastly differing needs and lifestyles. So, it’s important to choose the right space for you or your loved one.

The assisted living spaces were created to keep it simple. They are for people who require a little help or care from time-to-time or with certain activities, but are otherwise self sufficient in every aspect of their lives. These assisted living spaces are also suitable for dementia and Alzheimer sufferers.

Pricing

There are some average or baseline prices that you should keep in mind.

The cost of assisted living homes can range from $4,000 to $5,000 per month, depending on the facility. Nursing homes can be more expensive, costing around $7,000 per month depending on the location.

Takeaway

You will find it easier to select a senior living facility for you or a loved one now that you are more familiar with the two types.

You should ensure that the residents’ needs and wants are met. This will encourage them to live an active, happy life.