Although there is no legal definition either of ‘nursing home’, or of ‘assisted living facility’, there are characteristics typical of each which can guide you as to which is the one you should be looking for.

A nursing home may prove to be the less expensive option, in spite of the greater needs of the residents, first because the care given will be more shared with others and less individual, and then because the costs of residing at an assisted living development is unlikely to be covered by insurance. However if possible cost should not be the determining factor as it is more important tpo choose the best option. Assisted living has various attractive characteristics as compared to nursing homes.

In an assisted living facility, depending on the type of place it is, the residents should be able to enjoy quite a high degree of independence. They will be in a position in fact to exercise as much independence as they are capable of, while knowing also that if they need help in any way it is there for them, particularly in an emergency.

If the elder in question is able to enjoy socialising and other activities, a nursing home is probably not the place for them, unless they are in need of constant or very frequent nursing care. The company and the planned activities available at an assisted living facility will help to keep them young and their mind active. Their quality of life will be enhanced by remaining as autonomous as possible.

In contrast, if the person needs very assisted frequent nursing care or medical attention then a nursing home may be the best place, since medical attention will be present all the time rather than available when called for as is the case in an assisted living facility.

If the person’s care needs are not too intensive, and they only need occasional assistance beyond what might be provided in a good hotel for example, then an assisted living facility is almost certainly the right place for them.

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Tags: assisted living development

This entry was posted on Monday, May 23rd, 2011 at 11:29 am and is filed under Fitness Consultant. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.