Finding the right senior living in Peachtree City, GA for your loved one can be overwhelming. You must carefully consider the level of care available, cost, amenities, location, and much more. The research alone can be time consuming, especially when some commonly used terms are so similar. The differences between personal care and other types of senior care is nuanced and not often clearly communicated.
If you are considering a personal care home or personal care community for your loved one, we’d love to make your search a little easier by highlighting some key differences and similarities between the two.
How Are Personal Care Homes and Personal Care Communities Similar
Personal care communities and personal care homes offer long term medical care, specialized socialization, and added layers of safety for all their residents. They are designed and decorated to feel warm and welcoming, providing accessible common areas to accommodate those with limited mobility.
In both settings, specially trained staff is available to help on a regular and as-needed basis. Personal care homes and personal care communities must meet certain state requirements, but larger communities are likely subject to additional oversight and resources that can ensure consistency and quality of care over time. Each senior care setting has their own set of security measures to ensure residents stay healthy, happy, and safe.
Personal Care Homes
A personal care home is typically a smaller setting with fewer residents. This allows staff and residents to get to know each other very well. As the title suggests, this type of senior living in Peachtree, GA provides a truly home-like environment. Rooms may be private or semi-private, depending on preference, availability, and cost.
Level of Care
Quality medical and personal care is a high priority at personal care homes. Assistance with daily tasks such as bathing, toileting, dressing, and more is provided. Round-the-clock medical care is also available, though the specifics vary by location. Over time, a resident may require a higher quantity or quality of medical assistance than the personal care home is able to provide, resulting in the need for a move.
Amenities
To eliminate the hassle of cooking, all meals are prepared for each resident. Housekeeping services are also provided to keep the environment clean and safe for everyone.
Due to its limited capacity, personal care homes do not usually offer as many varied opportunities for social gatherings and events. When they do, it is done on a smaller scale, which may be favorable for those seeking familiarity and a quiet space away from the hustle and bustle of large groups.
Personal Care Communities
Personal care communities are larger by nature, often more reminiscent of an apartment building or luxury hotel. Because there are more staff and residents here, there are plenty of programs and activities year round. Rooms may be private or semi-private, depending on preference, availability, and cost.
Level of Care
Assistance with daily living tasks such as dressing, toileting, bathing, and more are provided in personal care communities. Highly trained staff also provide customized medical care for each of their residents. These larger communities tend to have the resources and flexibility to accommodate changing medical needs over time. For example, personal care communities also often have access to additional services like therapy or specialized care.
Amenities
To reduce loneliness and promote mental wellbeing, personal care communities make boosting social engagement a priority. With regularly scheduled social programming, there is always something to stimulate the mind, body, and soul. To foster meaningful social interactions, they facilitate shared dining spaces, group activities, and events specifically designed for seniors. Larger communities may have a game room, gym, pool, garden, musical instrument collection, or cozy fireplace available for their residents to enjoy at their leisure.
How to Choose What’s Best for Your Loved One
There is no precise formula to compute which senior living option is best for your loved one. Ultimately, this depends on many factors such as location, cost, personality, medical needs, and family preference.
However, if your loved one prefers a smaller, more intimate setting with less varied social and medical options available, then a personal care community may be the right choice.
If your loved one will need increasing medical care over time and enjoys having a wide range of regular social activities, then a personal care community like Arbor Terrace Peachtree City could be the ideal fit.
Choosing a location that is convenient for family to visit and actively participate in the decision making processes is also important to consider. Once you have created a list of potential senior living options in Peachtree City, GA we recommend talking on the phone with staff and scheduling a tour to provide you with more information and to gain a true feel for the atmosphere of each location.
Looking to learn more about personal care communities? Download our free brochure to find out if Arbor Terrace Peachtree City is the perfect place for your loved one to call home.
