Studies have shown that 1 out of 8 Americans are over the age of 65 today. As we grow older, it would only be natural that we start to struggle with our daily functions. For many aging adults considering senior care, two options are most likely to be considered: nursing homes or assisted living communities.
Read on to find out which of the two might be most suitable for you.
Differences Between Assisted Living and Nursing Homes
If you are considering between an assisted living community and nursing homes, it is important to understand their differences and the type of services they offer. The two options differ in the following factors such as the extent of support and medical services provided, the type of living arrangement, and the variety of amenities offered.
The first difference you will notice would be the physical layout and the types of features and amenities offered. An assisted living community tends to look like a more luxurious apartment complex with more extensive amenities. In contrast, a nursing care center would have more safety precautions such as door alarms and environmental considerations to prevent any safety hazards.
An assisted living community usually provides custodial care. This means that they provide general medical care that isn’t specific to any illnesses or conditions such as medication management.
Residents living in a nursing home would usually require more extensive care as they have more advanced health conditions that would require skilled and experienced medical nurses that can administer specialized services.
Lastly, residents in an assisted living community generally have a more private living arrangement as each person has their own apartment. On the contrary, residents in a nursing home will usually share the space with a fellow resident.
Similarities between Assisted Living and Nursing Homes
One of the reasons why older adults will move into a senior care community is because they might be feeling lonely or are socially isolated in their own home. To enrich their residents’ lives, both senior living options offer a wide variety of activities designed to help them fulfill their emotional and physical needs.
While the appearance of both assisted living and nursing care facilities may look very different, they are both designed with safety measures in place such as emergency call buttons, handlebars, and hand-railings to help prevent falls and accidents. In addition to this, both senior living options also provide supportive services to help residents manage their daily tasks such as housekeeping, laundry, and transportation services.
Both also offer medication management services to help their residents avoid medication error – a leading reason why so many seniors end up in the emergency room. Many aging adults might find it confusing to manage their own medication especially when they are taking multiple prescriptions simultaneously.
If you’re looking for an assisted living apartment in a home-like community, Discovery Commons At Bradenton would be the perfect choice for you.
We have a dedicated team of professionals who are committed to making sure your every moment with us is always fulfilling and never dull. To find out more about the programs we offer, please feel free to contact us today.
