There are two main types of long term care facilities; the familiar traditional nursing home and the more modern assisted living facility. Both provide long term care to the residents, but they vary in the level of services provided and the types of residents for which they are appropriate.
A nursing home is appropriate for a loved one who has serious health issues and requires around the clock care. If a resident needs constant help being transferred from bed to chair and back, help with toileting or continence issues, and cannot feed themselves, a nursing home may be the most appropriate setting for proper care. This is also true for residents with complex ongoing medical issues, like a feeding tube or paralysis.
However, if a resident is fairly self-sufficient and is likely to remain so with only slow deterioration of independence, an assisted living facility may be a better choice. Such residents can have services tailored to their specific needs, whether they require help bathing, dressing, being reminded to take medication, or even just monitoring to ensure their safety, in case of Alzheimer’s or dementia. As they need more help, services can be added to ensure their care is always top quality.
Assisted living facilities offer an alternative to nursing home life for those who no longer want to live alone, but do not need 24-hour skilled nursing care, allowing your loved one to maintain dignity and independence, while ensuring their safety and health.
