Assisted living provides residential care for older adults who require assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs). Residents receive personalized support with activities like bathing, dressing, grooming, and toileting, enabling them to maintain their independence. Unlike traditional notions of retirement homes, assisted living communities offer a homely environment with a variety of services, amenities, and activities tailored to residents' needs and preferences.
Assisted Living Homes vs Nursing Homes
Assisted living homes vs Memory Care
Memory care is a specialized form of long-term care for seniors with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Today, many assisted living communities offer memory care in addition to assisted living care, typically in a separate wing or building of the same facility.
The key difference between these two options is that memory care is specialized for those with dementia, while assisted living is not.
Essentially every aspect of memory care, from the types of organized activities that take place at the community to the presence of physical safeguards such as secured courtyards and doors with alarms, is designed with those with dementia in mind.
Because of the enhanced staff training and safety measures required, memory care also comes with a higher price tag than assisted living. It typically costs 20-30% more per month than an ALF in the same location
Assisted Living vs Independent Living
Independent living facilities offer residential, community living with many of the same amenities that one would find in an ALF. Gyms and exercise classes, communal dining rooms and prepared meals, and planned social activities are all common at independent living communities.
The biggest difference between assisted living and independent living is that the latter does not offer any personal care assistance or assistance with ADLs.
Because of this difference, independent living communities are best suited for seniors who do not yet need any assistance with their daily activities and can live independently in their day-to-day lives.
Independent living communities typically do offer prepared meals, interior and exterior maintenance, and housekeeping and laundry services.
Assisted Living Homes vs In-Home Care
The biggest differences between assisted living care and in-home care are the most obvious- in assisted living, residents live in a community of other adults receiving care, while in-home care takes place in an individual home.
The type of assistance provided by both assisted living communities and home-care providers can overlap, and include personal care and help with activities of daily living.
Neither assisted living nor in-home care providers administer skilled nursing care