Nursing homes and assisted living communities aren’t the same. Often, they’re used interchangeably in conversations and even in popular media, which leads to confusion and hesitancy.
Nursing homes focus on medical care as the primary aspect. This means catering to seniors who have significant health conditions and need priority nursing services.
Some of these services may include:
A nursing home’s environment may feel a bit more clinical as it offers long-term care. Rooms can be shared, depending on the nursing home’s setup.
Assisted living facilities, such as our Danvers, MA assisted living community, provide an environment for seniors who need assistance with daily tasks but also wish to maintain a degree of independence.
Services may include:
As you can see, nursing homes and assisted living communities aren’t the same. Nursing homes certainly provide substantial benefits to seniors with those specific needs. But confusing them can cause a senior or a loved one to hesitate in exploring assisted living communities due to misunderstandings.
We spoke about nursing homes in the prior misconception. It’s a relevant segue into our discussion regarding the loss of independence misconception.
There is a stark contrast between what some people think an assisted living community provides and what they actually provide.
Assisted living actually promotes independence through support. It fosters an environment of autonomy through a range of social activities and independent structures. The goal of assisted living is to maintain independence for the senior.
There’s a common misconception that assisted living is solely for older seniors experiencing significant health issues.
Many assisted living community members are in their 50s and 60s and without major health issues. Younger residents may choose to living in assisted living for various reasons, including lifestyle preferences and early retirement. Sometimes, younger residents with specific health conditions that don’t require intensive care prefer assisted living communities.
Many assisted living residents lead active and fulfilling lives. Activities and programs in assisted living communities are designed to cater to a variety of interest and mobility levels. These activities include fitness classes, educational workshops, art sessions and social clubs.
A major assisted living misconception involves a senior’s privacy. There’s a common belief that by moving into an assisted living community the senior is giving up their privacy. But this is hardly true.
The truth is, modern facilities such as our Front Royal, Virginia assisted living community, are designed with privacy and comfort at the forefront.
Residents are encouraged to bring their personal belongings, furniture, and even decor. Modern assisted living communities want their seniors to feel right at home.
Living spaces include private bathrooms, kitchens, and living areas.
This misconception couldn’t be further from the truth. Social activities are actually engrained into the entire assisted living community experience.
Let’s look at the many assisted living activities a senior can expect:
Assisted living communities.
We’d staunchly disagree.
While assisted living does cost, it’s important to add context to the misconception that it’s more costly than other options.
For example, paying rent or a mortgage, on top of providing helpful services for meals and activities, is not only costly, but often less organized and more sporadic.
When considering the cost of assisted living, make sure to compare not only a senior’s current situation, but what they’ll likely need as the years go on.
On a final note, financial assistance often helps seniors and their families find a comfortable payment option.
For many families, rampant misconceptions about assisted living prevents families from exploring these communities as an option. And that’s a disservice to the many seniors who would thrive in an independent, social situation where a helpful staff provides some additional resources.
