When beginning to research senior care facilities, it can be difficult to tell the difference between nursing homes and assisted living facilities. In fact, the terms are often used interchangeably. However, there are some key differences between the two types of senior care facilities.
1. Self-sufficient versus 24 hour care.
Nursing homes are typically reserved for seniors who require around-the-clock care. Assisted living facilities, on the other hand, offer services such as housekeeping, medication management, and even help with mobility needs. Their focus is on aiding adults who are still largely self-sufficient, and supplementing their lifestyle with services that make life more convenient.
2. Apartment-style facility versus institutional
Another key difference between nursing homes and assisted living facilities is how residents are housed. In nursing homes, residents typically share a room and the facility itself looks very institutional, due to the around-the-clock treatment residents need. On the other hand, most assisted living facilities, such as assisted living in Tallahassee Florida, provide individual condos or apartments for residents and resemble an upscale apartment complex.
3. Costs
One might think that assisted living facilities are more expensive than nursing homes, due to the individual living spaces, availability of social and emotional activities, and other services. However, nursing homes (because they provide 24-hour care) typically cost much more.
These are just some of the few key differences between nursing homes and assisted living facilities, which may make the choice between the two much easier.