Distinguishing Assisted Living From Nursing Homes

First of all, assisted living is not a nursing home. Choosing to utilize such a facility's services does not mean that one is terminally ill or giving up his or her independence all together. On one hand, a nursing home prepares and provides the medical services or emergency aid required for each patient 24 hours a day for the regular monitoring of each person's compromised health and mobility. On the other hand, these two facilities are similar in that the regularity of meal preparations, safety and activities are planned for the residents. Meanwhile assisted living is a little bit more active.

Assisted living is just as it sounds: clients are provided with an apartment, condo or small home in a small community where the staff just helps the residents with their normal everyday tasks according to their level of needs. This help can encompass those simple tasks that have just become cumbersome with age such as hygiene, dressing, shopping and - in some states - reminders and distribution of medication assistance. The idea behind assisted living is to make sure that each resident feels as though he or she is at home with all of the normal comforts, privacy and socialization they would normally have access to. For example, if a patient is capable, he or she will have a full apartment or house including a small kitchen to accommodate basic food preparation. They are also able to bring their belongings and even a pet if they are capable of the full responsibility.

These campuses and services are not for elderly individuals who simply reached their retirement years and would like a little help around the house. And these apartments are not for individuals who require daily assistance with all aspects of movement, full time health care or anyone who is completely dependent upon 24 hour a day care. The objective of an assisted living facility is to lighten many of the burdens of home duties such as housekeeping, laundry and meal preparation (with careful attention to nutritional value) three times a day, while trying to keep residents social and active for mental and physical well being. Depending upon the community selected, a resident of any one of their area facilities or campuses can help plan events, group activities, and trips from happy hours to concerts.

Although not all senior living is exactly the same, assisted housing residents can receive elevated medical as they require it. These residents find it comforting to know that if their health begins to decline they will be able to incorporate medical care that will be added to the cost of their stay and they will not be relocated if they don't want to be. The fact is that states regulate these facilities. These regulations make sure that the standard of care and services are met throughout the community. They monitor all aspects from the care providers to the food safety therein. This puts not only the residents' minds at ease but their family's hearts as well.