The decision to enter NC assisted living can be tricky to make. While you may think of it as “aging in place,” there’s much more involved than simply staying in your home or moving out of it. In this article, let’s look at the differences between assisted living and residential care so you can decide what’s best for you.
Age Range
Assisted living communities can provide a safe, comfortable, and secure environment for older adults who need assistance with daily activities. The goal of assisted living is to help people live independently while receiving the support they need. This usually means assistance with bathing, dressing, and other daily tasks. But it can also include help with medication management or meal preparation if necessary.
Assisted living residents typically have rooms or apartments, though some communities offer shared accommodation options. Most assisted living communities include these services:
- Meals served in a common dining room or restaurant-style setting
- Housekeeping services
- Transportation within the community
- Scheduled social activities such as games nights or arts and crafts sessions
- 24-hour security patrols on site (this varies by state)
Services
In assisted living, your loved one can live independently and make their own decisions. As a result, you won’t need to worry about helping out with simple tasks like shopping for groceries or doing laundry. However, this type of care does not include any medical treatment. So if your loved one needs help bathing or eating meals on their own, they may not be able to receive those services from an assisted living community.
Perhaps you require more comprehensive medical care than an assisted living facility can provide. Residential care may be right for you. This facility offers 24-hour support from trained staff members to help administer medications and monitor your condition so your health remains stable throughout your stay.
Cost
You might be surprised to learn that assisted living costs less than residential care. It can cost less than half as much! That’s because assisted living communities are smaller (typically have between 10 and 20 residents), and they don’t offer 24-hour nursing services. Instead, they provide around-the-clock staffing and supervision by trained members who help with medication reminders and other daily tasks.
Suppose you choose residential care instead of assisted living. In that case, your loved one might need hospice care at some point, which can be very expensive.
Socialization Opportunities
In an assisted living facility, you’ll have the opportunity to socialize with others and participate in activities. There are often communal dining rooms where residents can eat together. In addition, there may be a common area where residents can spend time together watching television or playing games.
Some communities offer entertainment programs during the day or evening hours so that residents can enjoy themselves with their peers. Often these services come at no additional cost to those who live there already. However, some communities may charge a fee for this service depending on its amenities.
Home healthcare providers usually offer residential care. These professionals come into your home regularly to assist you with daily tasks such as bathing, showering, dressing, grooming, etc. The amount of assistance provided depends on each case. Generally speaking, people who require residential care receive more intensive support than those residing in an assisted living community. They might have physical limitations preventing them from doing certain things independently without assistance from another person.
Conclusion
In conclusion, assisted living and residential care are great options for aging family members who need help with daily tasks. Assisted living offers the most flexibility and independence while offering assistance when needed.
