Both care facilities and nursing homes provide care and assistance to older adults who need help with daily activities. However, there are some key differences between these two types of senior living options.
Care facilities, sometimes known as assisted living facilities, provide care and assistance with daily activities in a residential setting. Nursing homes provide a higher level of medical care and are for individuals who require 24-hour skilled nursing care. Understanding the differences can help you determine which option may be best for your loved one’s needs.
What is a Care Facility?
A care facility, also known as an assisted living facility, provides housing, meals, and assistance with daily living activities to older adults and individuals with disabilities who need some help with daily tasks. Care facilities aim to help residents maintain their independence while providing care and assistance.
Some key features of care facilities include:
– Private apartments or rooms with kitchenettes
– Communal dining rooms and activity spaces
– Assistance with activities like bathing, dressing, grooming, medication management
– Around-the-clock staffing and emergency call systems
– Some health and medical services like medication management
– Social and recreational activities
Care facilities do not provide intensive medical care. They are designed for individuals who need some assistance but do not require the high level of skilled nursing care provided at a nursing home.
Types of Care Facilities
There are a few different types of care facilities:
– Assisted living facilities: Provide housing, meals, care, and assistance with activities of daily living. Offer different levels of care.
– Residential care homes: Smaller facilities of 2-6 residents that provide housing and care.
– Memory care units: Special care units for individuals with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Focus on safety and memory support.
– Continuing care retirement communities: Offer a continuum of care including independent living, assisted living, and nursing home care. Allow residents to move between levels of care as needed.
Who Lives in a Care Facility?
Care facilities are designed for individuals who require some assistance but do not need intensive, around-the-clock nursing care. Reasons someone may choose to move into a care facility include:
– Difficulty completing activities of daily living like bathing, dressing, grooming
– Forgetfulness or medication reminders needed
– Increased risk of falls or unsteadiness
– Loneliness or need for more social interaction
– Need for help with household chores and transportation
– Can no longer live fully independently but do not require extensive medical care
Care facilities have staff available 24/7 to provide care and assistance. They aim to help residents maintain independence while providing a safe environment with support.
What is a Nursing Home?
A nursing home, also known as a care home or aged care facility, provides 24-hour residential care from nurses and other medical professionals. Nursing homes offer more intensive medical care than care facilities.
Key features of nursing homes include:
– Private or shared rooms
– Around-the-clock skilled nursing care from registered nurses
– Assistance with all activities of daily living
– Physical, occupational, and other rehabilitative therapies
– Monitoring of complex health conditions
– Onsite medical director
– Some have special care units for dementia or Alzheimer’s
Nursing homes have nurses and other medical staff on hand 24 hours per day to provide medical care to residents. They provide a higher level of care than assisted living facilities.
Types of Nursing Homes
There are a few different types of nursing homes:
– Skilled nursing facilities: Provide 24/7 skilled medical care, physical therapy, occupational therapy. Many provide short-term rehab.
– Nursing care facilities: Provide long-term residential care and less intensive medical care.
– Special care units: Offer care for people with specific needs like dementia.
– Pediatric skilled nursing: Specially equipped facilities to care for children who need intensive medical care and rehabilitation.
– Ventilator dependent units: Serve people who are ventilator dependent and require mechanical ventilation.
Who Lives in a Nursing Home?
Nursing homes provide around-the-clock care for individuals who require intensive medical and nursing care. Reasons someone may need to move into a nursing home include:
– Needing 24/7 skilled nursing care
– Recovering from a stroke, heart attack, injury, or major surgery
– Having an advanced chronic condition like heart disease, COPD, Parkinson’s, or diabetes
– Debilitating arthritis or osteoporosis requiring significant help with all daily activities
– Late-stage Alzheimer’s or dementia with severe memory loss and limited mobility
– Terminal illness requiring hospice care
– Ventilator dependence
Nursing homes focus on providing extensive medical and nursing care to support individuals with intensive health needs.
Main Differences Between Care Facilities and Nursing Homes
While care facilities and nursing homes both provide assistance to older adults, there are some key differences between these two types of senior living options:
| Care Facility | Nursing Home |
|---|---|
| Provides custodial care and assistance with daily activities | Provides 24/7 skilled nursing care |
| Aims to help residents maintain independence | Provides total care for all activities |
| Lower level of medical care available onsite | High level of skilled nursing and medical care available 24/7 |
| Private apartments or rooms with kitchenettes | Typically shared or private rooms without kitchens |
| Residents have more independence and privacy | More supervised care and less privacy |
| Often have amenities like activity rooms, salons, restaurants | Focus more on medical amenities and rehabilitation |
| Costs range from $3,000-$6,500 per month | Costs range from $220-$400 per day |
Let’s explore some of the key differences in more detail:
Level of Care
The level and intensity of care provided is the primary difference between care facilities and nursing homes.
Care facilities provide custodial care focused on assisting with activities of daily living. They have some staff like nurses or med aides available for basic medical care and assistance. But the focus is on providing personal care and supervision, not intensive nursing.
Nursing homes have registered nurses and licensed medical professionals on staff 24/7. They provide intensive, around-the-clock skilled nursing care, monitoring, and medical interventions. Nursing home residents require this higher level of care.
Medical Care Available Onsite
Related to the level of care, nursing homes have more medical care available onsite than care facilities. Nursing homes have nurses on staff at all times and an affiliated physician or medical director. Many have a physician onsite for a few hours per week. Some larger nursing homes have a physician available daily.
Care facilities may have a nurse, med aide or other staff available to help with medications and some basic medical care. But intensive medical care and procedures will need to be handled offsite.
Design and Amenities
The design and amenities differ based on the focus of each type of senior living community.
Care facilities emphasize resident independence and privacy. Residents have their own private apartment or room and access to amenities like activity rooms, restaurants, salons, lounges, and courtyards. Safety features like grab bars and call buttons are installed but facilities are designed to feel more like a residential building.
Nursing homes focus on medical care and assistance. Rooms may be private or shared. There are fewer amenities but more features like nurse call buttons, lifts, and ramps to aid with mobility. Therapy gyms, rehabilitation rooms and medical equipment are prioritized.
Cost
The higher level of care comes at a price. Nursing homes are significantly more expensive than care facilities.
According to Genworth’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey, the median national cost for assisted living facilities is $4,300 per month or $51,600 per year. Nursing home care runs between $220-$400 per day, or $80,300 to $146,000 per year for a semi-private room.
Insurance coverage also differs. Long-term care insurance will typically cover assisted living but has limits on nursing home coverage. Medicaid pays for nursing home care once assets are depleted.
Resident Control and Independence
Care facilities aim to help residents maintain independence and autonomy while providing care and support. Daily routines and schedules are more flexible. Residents can still come and go for outings, appointments, and events with family.
Nursing home residents require much more hands-on care and assistance. Care is focused on medical needs so there is less freedom and autonomy. Schedules revolve around things like therapy and medication times. Outings require significantly more planning and supervision.
So in care facilities, residents have greater independence, control and privacy. Nursing homes offer more supervision and scheduled care.
How to Choose Between a Care Facility vs Nursing Home?
Choosing between a care facility or nursing home involves:
Considering Current and Future Needs
Consider your loved one’s current medical needs and what level of care is required now. Also look ahead to what future care might be needed so you select a setting that could meet evolving needs.
Having a Doctor’s Assessment
Discuss your options with your loved one’s physician to get their take on whether a care facility or nursing home best suits their needs. They can provide insight on the level of care required.
Touring Facilities
Visit facilities you are considering to get a firsthand view of daily life, activities, staffing, and the overall vibe. This can help determine if a facility seems like a good fit.
Talking to Residents and Family Members
Speaking with residents and family members during tours can provide valuable insight about quality of care, staff attentiveness and what a typical day looks like.
Comparing Costs
Look closely at pricing for both monthly fees and additional costs at each facility. Factor in what insurance may cover. Make sure the cost aligns with your budget.
Examining Services Offered
Compare the types of assistance provided for activities of daily living, medication management, meals, housekeeping, transportation, social activities. Make sure the facility offers the services your loved one requires.
Considering Location
Look for facilities in a location close enough for family to visit regularly. Proximity can help ensure you can participate in care and check in frequently.
With these tips in mind, carefully weigh options to find the right senior living solution that best fits your loved one’s care needs and budget.
Conclusion
In summary, care facilities and nursing homes both assist older adults but at different levels of care. Care facilities provide assistance with daily activities in a residential setting while allowing independence. Nursing homes offer 24/7 skilled nursing care for individuals with complex medical needs.
Assessing the level of care required, visiting facilities in person, comparing costs and services, and evaluating locations can help determine if a care facility or nursing home is the best option for your loved one. With an understanding of the key differences between these two senior living choices, you can make an informed decision that supports their health and lifestyle preferences.