You may feel overwhelmed and confused when it comes time to look into the care of your loved one.
We have listed the key differences between assisted living and nursing homes to help you with your research.
Assisted Living Facilities
Seniors who can live independently but still require help with daily activities such as shopping, bathing, cooking and so on, may be able to benefit from assisted living facilities.
If your loved one has never lived in an assisted home before, it is a great place to start. A home that is an assisted home is often located in a real home giving seniors the feeling of being at home while still allowing them to receive the assistance they require.
These are the main amenities offered by assisted living homes.
Seniors who can live independently but still require help with daily activities such as shopping, bathing, cooking and so on, may be able to benefit from assisted living facilities.
If your loved one has never lived in an assisted home before, it is a great place to start. A home that is an assisted home is often located in a real home giving seniors the feeling of being at home while still allowing them to receive the assistance they require.
These are the main amenities offered by assisted living homes.
Personal Care
As we age, many of us lose our ability to perform daily tasks. If your loved one is unable to do the daily tasks alone, an assisted living facility can help them. This could be simple tasks such as housekeeping, medication administration, or companionship.
While most assisted living facilities have a nurse available on-call, they might not be available 24/7 to provide assistance. An assisted home is the best option for seniors who don’t require 24-hour care.
Socialization
While socialization is important for all ages, it can be difficult for seniors to maintain a healthy level of socialization. As seniors age, their children may move away and they might lose their spouses. This can lead to isolation or loneliness, which could increase the risk of developing depression.
Seniors can be surrounded by caregivers and other seniors when they go to an assisted living facility. Through activities like a movie or game nights, they can interact with each other.
You can arrange visiting times for your loved ones if they are missing you or their family. This will allow you to interact with them and provide special bonding moments.
Some living facilities offer pet therapy in addition to human interaction.
Accommodations
If your loved one requires assistance to move around the house, assisted living facilities can be modified to accommodate them. You can roll-in to the showers, and hallways and doors can be modified to accommodate wheelchairs and walkers. A Hoyer lift can be available for those who are able to assist their loved ones.
Nursing Homes
While most residents in nursing homes have the same amenities as those in assisted homes, there is always a registered nurse available to help residents. The main difference between the two homes lies in the availability of 24/7 care.
Many residents who move into nursing homes are unable to live independently and need more assistance than seniors living in assisted living facilities.
Services
If your loved one has dementia or Alzheimer’s, a nursing home may be the best option. Nursing homes are a great option for your loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia. They provide 24-hour supervision and care.
A nursing home is a great option if your loved ones require injections or IV fluids.
Cost differences
The biggest difference between nursing homes and assisted living facilities is their cost.
Genworth’s Cost of Care Survey 2019 shows that assisted living facilities cost an average of $4051 per month while nursing homes can cost between $7,513 and $8,517 per month depending on the privacy level of the room.
Coverage Options
You might wonder if you have any coverage options when looking at the monthly costs of assisted living facilities or nursing homes. We have listed some options for financial assistance that can be used to help pay for the care of your loved one.
Medicare
It is possible to check if your loved ones Medicare covers some of the costs. However, Medicare does not typically cover long-term care stays such as assisted living facilities or nursing homes.
Medicaid
Medicaid is accepted by some nursing homes and assisted living facilities. To find out if they accept Medicaid, check with the facility you are interested in.
Pay-Out-Of-Pocket
Most people pay for their care out of pocket using savings and their own money. This isn’t the best way to pay as it can be costly. Always do your research and make sure you have a budget for the homes that interest you. Also, check if the homeowners accept insurance.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.
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