The Difference Between a Retirement Home and Nursing Home

Helping someone you love find the proper elderly home can be a difficult process. There are many different options out there, so make sure that you understand the distinction between the types of homes offered.

If your loved one is entirely mobile and they do not need any type of medical assistance, they will probably feel most comfortable at a retirement home. These homes are largely apartment buildings for seniors that include various activities and amenities - almost like a resort for the elderly. Contrastingly, nursing homes are establishments that have been erected in order to help those that need constant medical attention. Right from the start, you should be able to determine what sort of home your loved one needs.

It is not a good idea to place a mobile person in a nursing home, since they will not be autonomous. This is precisely why most nursing homes will not accept any new people that do not require outside help. While those within these types of homes do not have to be completely bed stricken, they usually need help attending to daily tasks such as brushing their teeth, getting dressed, and going outside for a walk. The routine inside of a nursing home tends to be organized and scheduled every day - in short, there is no room for individual activities within this type of establishment. Since the staff that works at a nursing home provides around the clock attention, the cost of living at this type of home is generally higher than a retirement home.

Those elderly people that simply want to live in a smaller space will often seek out a retirement home. This type of home does not include any type of medical care, though it may include various extras such as transportation, senior services, and events that are planned with seniors in mind. Many seniors move to retirement homes when their own homes become too much to handle. Retirement homes charge a monthly rental fee that changes from home to home depending upon the type of services offered.

Now that you know the fundamental differences, you can begin to look around for the type of home that your loved one needs. Make sure to visit any kind of home unannounced during the afternoon hours - this way, you can see what the regular operations look like. Also, always bring your loved one with you to visit a home, so that you can be sure they like the atmosphere. Even though this process is never easy, it can be a lot easier if you know what type of home you are looking for.