Difference Between Assisted Living and Nursing Home

By: | Updated: Jul-21, 2021
The contents of the Difference.guru website, such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained on this site (“Content”) are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical or legal advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions you may have regarding your medical condition. Never disregard professional advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website!

We love our family members, but the care they need can be difficult to find. There are many things that can help, but it may be necessary to move your loved one into a long-term care facility. The two types of facilities are long-term care facilities and assisted living facilities. While the two are similar, there are some important differences between the two.

When we talk about assisted living, we are referring to a community or facility that is specifically designed for people who need help with daily activities. Some of the activities that are most common in assisted living include dressing, bathing, and transferring from one place to another. Assisted living is designed to make it easier for the person to continue their normal life style.

Summary Table

Assisted Living Nursing Home
Provides for some level of independence and self-care for its residents. Provides 24-hour care and may also provide a limited level of assistance with daily activities.
Has much smaller staff More staff
Costs around $5,000 and $6,000 per month. Costs around $4,000 and $6,000 per month.

Definitions:

Difference Between Assisted Living and Nursing Home

In contrast, nursing homes are more like traditional hospitals. They have a very large staff and focus on providing medical care for the patient. The care provided in nursing homes can include medical, nursing, therapy, and personal care. Some nursing homes also have assisted living options that provide a similar experience to assisted living.

When we think about what we want for our loved ones, we usually want them to be comfortable and happy. But when it comes to a nursing home or assisted living facility, the type of care they need is different. While some people prefer the option of a more personal care experience in an assisted living facility, many people prefer the type of care that is offered in a nursing home.

But why do some people prefer assisted living over nursing homes? Why are other people more comfortable with assisted living? To answer these questions, we need to know the differences between the two. So, in this article, we will go over the main differences between assisted living and nursing homes, the pros and cons of each, and what we should consider when choosing the right type of care for our loved ones.

You would think that there would be no difference between the two, but there are actually some important differences. It is important to know these differences, so that you can make the best decision for your loved one. You may want to choose assisted living if your loved one has a specific set of needs, or you may want to choose nursing home care if your loved one does not have any special needs.

We will discuss the different options and make it easier for you to decide which type of care is best for your loved one so that you can give them the care they need. Let’s get started.

What is assisted living?

Assisted living is a form of senior care where the senior is allowed to live independently with help and support from staff. This care provides services that assist the individual in maintaining their home, such as: personal care, meal preparation, transportation, and shopping. Assisted living also offers additional services such as: activities for the individual, medical assistance, social activities, companionship or 24-hour monitoring. These additional services are usually available for an additional fee.

What is nursing home?

Nursing home is a form of senior care where the senior is under the care of medical staff. This care provides services that assist the individual in maintaining their health, such as: medical assistance, nursing care, and social activities. Nursing home residents are required to have a doctor’s authorization to live in the facility. The doctor must sign a document that specifies the condition of the resident and that allows for them to live in the facility.

What are the similarities between assisted living and nursing home?

Before we go into more details, let’s look at the similarities between assisted living and nursing home.

  1. Both provide health care

Both provide a home-like environment and offer services like medical, personal care, and housekeeping.

  1. Both offer assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs)

ADLs are activities that can be performed independently by someone with physical limitations, such as eating, bathing, dressing, and using the toilet.

  1. Both offer support to help an individual maintain his or her independence as long as possible

In assisted living, the person is able to live independently in his or her own home.

In nursing home, a person is admitted to the facility and requires medical assistance for daily activities.

  1. Both are private facilities that provide long-term care

Unlike hospitals, which are open 24 hours a day, assisted living facilities and nursing homes provide services only during the day. Therefore, patients may be admitted only during certain hours of the day. For example, assisted living facilities are generally open from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm.

What are the differences between assisted living and nursing home?

  1. Facility Type

The difference between assisted living and nursing homes is that an assisted living facility provides for some level of independence and self-care for its residents. The facility offers support to assist the resident in performing daily activities, such as eating, dressing, showering, etc. The facility does not provide 24-hour care.

A nursing home provides 24-hour care and may also provide a limited level of assistance with daily activities.

  1. Staff

Assisted living facilities often have a much smaller staff than nursing homes. In assisted living facilities, the staff members are primarily dedicated to assisting the residents with daily activities. A nursing home may have a full-time staff of nurses and caregivers that may be required to care for many residents.

  1. Costs

Assisted living facilities are much less expensive than nursing homes. While assisted living costs may vary from one facility to another, assisted living facilities typically cost between $5,000 and $6,000 per month.

Nursing home costs can range from $4,000 to $6,000 per month.

(Visited 51 times, 1 visits today)
Did this article help you?
Thank you!
Thank you!
What was wrong?