Care options for seniors have been evolving rapidly, leaving many potential options for individuals seeking care for themselves or a loved one. Having different levels of care available means seniors can now customize the level of care they receive in senior living communities. However, it also makes finding the right care option an intimidating task.

Two commonly discussed care options for seniors are long-term care and assisted living. But what’s the difference between these two options?

Long-term care offers a more hands-on care approach and is meant for individuals with advanced medical needs. Meanwhile, assisted living focuses on helping individuals with some medical management and day-to-day tasks while supporting a more social and independent lifestyle.

Long-Term Care

What exactly is long-term care? Long-term care, also called a nursing home or Skilled Nursing Facility, is a form of care meant for seniors with complex mobility or medical needs that require high levels of support from professional staff.

What Do Long-Term Communities Look Like?

Long-term care looks different from assisted living. These communities are designed to provide intensive care. While the design of individual locations will vary, some common things you can find in long-term care are:

Private or semi-private sleeping arrangements.
Safety equipment such as patient lifts, grab bars, or specialized bathroom tubs (and much more!).
Shared dining and recreation spaces.
Shared indoor and outdoor spaces for visiting guests.

Assisted Living

A joyful group of elderly people are sitting in chairs during an exercise class while they are tossing and catching balls.

Assisted living differs from long-term care because it is meant for individuals with moderate to high mobility and no advanced medical needs. Assisted living environments focus on providing community to their residents while encouraging and supporting residents to maintain independence.

What Services Are Included in Assisted Living?

Assisted living offers many services aimed at meeting residents’ social, physical, and medical needs. The activities and amenities available in each individual assisted living facility may vary. However, some services are consistent across assisted living communities. Common assisted living services include:

All meals are provided with menu options
Scheduled physical exercise classes for a variety of abilities.
Social events and scheduled entertainment events.
Daily housekeeping, bathing, and dressing services.
Assistance in medication management and medical appointment scheduling.
Assistance in arranging transportation to and from medical and therapeutic appointments.

What Do Assisted Living Communities Look Like?

Assisted living communities will not look the same as nursing homes. This is due to their focus on providing community and promoting physical health, while nursing homes focus on medical care. Each assisted living facility may differ from the next, some common things you can find in assisted living are:

Private rooms that include amenities like ensuite bathrooms.
Shared dining rooms, recreational areas, and entertainment spaces.
Accessible green or gardening spaces for outside recreation.

Finding the Right Option for You

Overall, assisted living is for seniors who are still somewhat independent and can maintain an active lifestyle, but require some help managing their medical conditions and day-to-day tasks. Assisted living offers more privacy and social opportunities than long-term care does, but less hands-on medical care.

Long-term care may become the right choice when a person’s medical conditions or mobility impairments become big enough that assisted living is no longer an option.

Choosing the right senior living option doesn’t have to be overwhelming or scary. At The Athenaeum of Skaneateles by Peregrine Senior Living, we want to help you understand what options are right for you.

For more information about our senior living lifestyles, tours, and services you can contact us today!

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