The decision to move from home to a care facility is very difficult for most seniors. In the past, people who needed extra assistance had two options: stay home with a family caregiver or go to a nursing home. Today, seniors have many more choices!
Two types of senior living facilities frequently discussed are Assisted Living Communities and Skilled Nursing Homes. Both of these types of living areas are suited for seniors who require some assistance with their care. Although they are both able to house a wide range of ability levels, there are some very pointed differences between the two.
Living Quarters
Nursing homes have more of an institutional feel than assisted living communities. Residents at nursing homes may be there for long-term care or for shorter stays while recovering from an illness or surgery. Some nursing homes in California have medi-cal beds for long term care. There is usually a long wait list to get such a bed and hard to get unless you are coming from a hospital setting. Assisted Living residents tend to be long-term occupants – only leaving when they require more care than an Assisted Living facility can provide.
At either type of facility, seniors can expect to see a common dining room and living areas and a wide array of scheduled activities. Residents will typically have their own bedroom and bathroom. Some assisted living communities also provide a small kitchenette in the private living spaces.
Level of Care Provided
The staff at both nursing homes and assisted living communities can provide assistance with cares like bathing, dressing, medication management, and toileting. Also included with the cost of living is cleaning services and daily meals.
For seniors with complex medical needs, a nursing home will be able to provide extra care. Nursing homes can house seniors who need constant assistance and medical intervention.
Staff Training
The level of education required for employment in senior living facilities varies from state to state. Generally speaking, employees at nursing homes have higher training requirements than the staff in assisted living communities.
Each type of facility is typically required to have a nurse on staff. The nurses oversee medication management, communicate with doctors, and perform more complex procedures than the rest of the staff are able to. For assisted living facilities, nursing staff may only be required to be on the premises a certain number of hours each week. Nursing homes are required to have nursing staff available around the clock.
All professional caregivers are given training on tasks like lifting, performing cares, and maintaining resident privacy laws. Most nursing homes require caregivers to maintain a state-sponsored certification. In assisted living communities, the requirements are more lax and training is handled differently by each employer.
Costs
The monthly cost of living in these facilities can vary drastically between locations. In assisted living communities, residents will either pay an all-inclusive price or pay a base rent with an additional charge for the amount of care required. Nursing homes are significantly more expensive and charge an all-inclusive price. Costs can range from $10,000+ each month (national average is $6,000 per month) in a nursing home in California. The national average cost of one bedroom in an assisted living community is around $3,500 per month while in California costs are at least $5000 a month.
Seniors who can no longer live at home need to be aware of all of their options. Each facility will have its own list of amenities and care options. You need to consider all of your options before making any big decisions.
