When evaluating options for senior care one is presented with many options. But the majority of families end up choosing between assisted living and skilled nursing in a nursing home. Each has their merits and one must evaluate their senior loved one’s capabilities and needs when making this decision. Review these differences between assisted living and skilled nursing to help with your assessments.
Benchmarks to use when evaluating what residence would be best for senior loved ones include the “7 Activities of Daily Living (ADL)”. These are the areas that seniors would need assistance with and the degree of their needs that help determine which type of facility would provide the best service. The ADL’s evaluated include:
- bathing
- dressing
- meal preparation
- managing medications
- eating
- toileting
- transferring
Assisted Living
Assisted Living is defined as a community where residents that are still active and vital can receive assistance with activities of daily living. They can handle most of their daily routine on their own and don’t require constant care and monitoring, just occasional help. Living quarters in assisted living communities include private rooms or apartments. Some communities even encourage residents to bring furniture and decor from home. Residents of assisted living are also still able to enjoy as much or little of the daily schedule that they want. They also have a certain amount of personal freedom on the property and on field trips. Staff and aids respect their privacy and encourage their independence and autonomy. It is a comfort to know that they may not always need assistance, but it is there if they do need it.
Services available include:
- minor medical care
- transportation
- personal care assistance
- meals
- 24 hour supervision
- social activities
- security systems
- emergency call systems
- housekeeping
Evaluating a senior loved one’s needs will greatly impact the decision about what level of care they will need in the future. Assisted Living communities average between $2,400 and $5,000 per month in cost. These costs are not covered by Medicare or Medicaid. Long term care insurance and some Veteran’s programs do offer assistance.
Skilled Nursing/Nursing Home
A skilled nursing center is defined as a residence for seniors that need constant significant personal care, and cannot manage many, if any, ADL’s on their own. Their personal freedom is more restricted due to dementia, and other mental and physical challenges. They would also require on-site nursing care due to their infirmities. This type of care is often required after a hospitalization or significant decline in their health or when seniors face multiple serious health challenges like heart disease, congestive heart failure, diabetes, etc. Skilled nursing is critical for when the care required is more than the family is capable of providing and more advanced than what assisted living can provide. They are designed to provide long-term care.
Services available include:
- extensive medical care on-site
- transportation
- personal care assistance
- meals
- 24 hour supervision
- social activities
- security systems
- emergency call systems
- housekeeping
Skilled nursing communities average between $4,000 and $12,000 per month in cost. These costs are covered to some extent by Medicare and Medicaid, but in many instances the patient has utilize all of their own resources first or qualify with little or no assets.
If you or a loved one have more questions about assisted living in Tennessee and Georgia, contact Senior Solutions. Our communities provide assisted living and memory care services in a fun, friendly atmosphere. Take a tour today!