Are you wondering if your loved one would benefit from living in a senior living community, such as assisted living or possibly a nursing home near Bee Cave, Texas? Perhaps you feel that your elderly parent could use a little more help with their medication management. Or maybe they would appreciate encouragement and support that lets them enjoy their daily meals more? Or perhaps you worry about your loved one’s safety or them becoming too lonely living on their own.
Whatever the reasons, senior living communities can offer wonderful benefits to both residents and their families. However, there are key differences between an assisted living community and a nursing home. In this blog post, we’ll break down the main differences between assisted living communities and nursing homes. We’ll explain the services provided, medical care in each, and amenities you can expect at each. Equipped with this knowledge, you can make the right choice for your situation and family.
What Is an Assisted Living Community?
An assisted living community is a safe place for seniors to live, enjoy their lives among peers, and receive the medical support they may need. Assisted living goes a step beyond independent living senior communities. In assisted living, residents have the “little extra support” that gives them and their families peace of mind. Assisted living communities typically offer:
- Physical support for moving around.
- Assistance with daily hygiene routines (showering, brushing teeth, combing and fixing up hair, getting dressed, etc.).
- All daily meals are provided, plus snacks, and extra care during mealtimes (and support with different diets, menu preferences, and dietary adjustments).
- A social schedule and active encouragement for activities and participating in social events that the resident may enjoy.
- Physical exercise and/or therapy classes (usually on-site).
- Full housekeeping, cleaning, and laundry services.
- Seasonal events and celebrations as opportunities for residents to get to know each other and form friendships.
- Comfortable amenities to make life easier such as hair-and beauty salons on-site, libraries or computer lounges, fitness centers, and activity rooms for mingling and socializing.
- 24-hour care for emergencies and where needed.
The biggest component that assisted living communities don’t cover is providing intensive or specialized care for more serious conditions and illnesses. Examples of this may include residents that are mostly bedridden or need more acute medical attention frequently. If your loved one is ill and battling a serious physical or mental disease, they may get more appropriate care at a skilled nursing facility. However, it’s worth noting that dementia is indeed often supported and cared for in assisted living communities. Some assisted living communities around Bee Cave, TX even have a specially designed care for residents living with dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease, and even a customized option for people living with the early stages of cognitive decline.
What Is a Nursing Home?
A nursing home (sometimes also referred to as a skilled nursing facility), tends to be more heavily regulated (usually by federal guidelines) than most assisted living communities. This extra regulation may provide a greater degree of safety and medical care, yet sometimes also more restrictions for residents – depending on the specific home as well as your and your loved one’s personal preferences. Nursing homes typically provide:
- 24-hour care and supervision.
- In-house nurses and doctors.
- Medical care for serious illnesses and conditions.
- Follow-up care and medical treatment for residents after falls, accidents, injuries, or surgical procedures.
- Advanced medical equipment on hand, such as walking frames, breathing mechanisms, feeding tubes, and more.
- Housekeeping, cleaning, and laundry services.
- Meals and nutritional services.
- Physical assistance for moving around.
- Help with daily hygiene routines.
- Palliative and hospice care (in select homes).
- Accommodations for both short-term and long-term care.
- Social activities, as appropriate.
- Heavily regulated by federal (and sometimes state) laws.
Since nursing homes offer more intensive 24-hour care and supervision, they may be ideal for residents who may be bed-bound most of the time or are living with serious medical conditions that may require heavier care around the clock. Overall, the care your loved one can expect from living in a nursing home is similar to the care patients may receive in a hospital.
If you think a nursing home may be the right choice for your loved one based on their condition and needs, we recommend you read reviews and recommendations from other residents near Bee Cave, TX, and then schedule in-person visits with the places of your choosing.
If you and your family are leaning towards the more independent living style of an assisted living community, we suggest looking for one that offers the comfort, amenities, and flexibility your family and loved ones desire. Be sure to check out some reviews from past and current residents, and then schedule an in-person tour to get a feel for the community firsthand.
Do you have more questions about getting started with assisted living? How to find the right community, what steps should you take and when, and how can you help make this transition as smoothly as possible for the whole family? Download our free guide: The Complete Guide to Assisted Living, which answers all your questions, and more. Get your copy of the guide now!
