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Assisted living is a type of community designed for seniors who require certain levels of medical and personal care. In America, this is the fastest-growing type of senior care wherein more than 800,000 senior residents are accommodated in numerous assisted living facilities.
Unlike other types of senior care, assisted living generally provides its residents with a home-like setting and promotes the residents’ freedom.
While other senior care facilities offer similar services to assisted living, there are certain important differences worth noting.
Difference Between Assisted Living and Other Senior Care Services
In order to find suitable senior care for your loved one, it is important to look at some of the important differences between assisted living and other types of senior care.
1. Assisted living vs nursing homes
Although most people think that these two senior care types are synonymous, assisted living and nursing homes differ in many ways. Assisted living and nursing homes both offer housing and meal services, and assist adults with their activities of daily living such as bathing, toileting, walking, and medication.
Among the biggest variations between the two is that skilled nursing services are not required for seniors in assisted living. Relatively active and independent seniors are the ones being accommodated in assisted living, compared to those in the nursing homes who require total care and highly-skilled nursing services. Assisted living is homier and more spacious compared to nursing homes wherein residents often have to share the same room. The rates in nursing homes are also significantly higher than in assisted living because of a higher level of care being provided to its senior residents.
2. Assisted living vs memory care
Memory care is similar to assisted living that offers housing with meals and assistance on ADLs. The main difference between the two is that memory care exclusively offers memory support for people suffering from dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease. For seniors who have early-stage dementia, assisted living can still do. However, as the type of disease progresses, the patient should be transferred to a memory care facility. And because of specialized staff and sophisticated memory care facilities, memory care is more expensive compared to assisted living.
3. Assisted living vs independent living
Both assisted and independent living cater to various senior needs from safe housing, complete amenities, widely available social activities, to restaurant-style meals. However, unlike assisted living, independent living doesn’t provide assistance with ADLs such as bathing, toileting, dressing, and personal grooming. Because of its limited services, independent living is cheaper than assisted living. Independent living is appropriate for seniors who are able to live on their own but want convenience and a sense of community involvement and social engagement.
4. Assisted living vs home care
Home care is simply for seniors who wish to spend their golden age in place. Home care aides are highly trained in senior care and can give companionship and assistance with ADLs. Home care is different from assisted living when it comes to socialization, intellectual stimulation, and rates. Rates in home care facilities are calculated based on the type of care provided by home care aides to seniors. This means home care can be an expensive alternative to assisted living, depending on the type of care you avail for your senior loved one.
Assisted Living Facility at San Marcos, CA
Choosing the care service for your senior loved one can be overwhelming, given the number of available types of senior care. But with the right knowledge on the appropriate care for your aging loved one, you will be able to save yourself from the confusion of what would be the best senior care for your loved one. It will also prevent you from unnecessary spending.
Blue Skies Homes is an excellent senior assisted-living facility that offers a well-equipped senior home. It has a branch in San Marcos, California which offers an endearing climate for the residents to enjoy year-round. Our mission is to provide the seniors with a high quality of life through life-enriching programs and services that also promote independence, creativity, and social skills.
Contact us today and we will show you how it is like to spend the golden years in Blue Skies Homes San Marcos.
