What is the difference between an assisted living facility and a nursing home?
A nursing home is for someone who needs 24 hour nursing, from a licensed nurse, including people who have intravenous therapy, nasogastric tubes or are ventilator dependent. At Hilltop House we have trained personnel, including CNAs and an LPN, to care for your medical and personal needs. We are able to care for all levels of assisted living from independent to total care.
An assisted living facility is a residential program for individuals who need help with daily activities, such as personal care, mobility, medications, meal preparation or household chores, but who do not require skilled nursing care. Assisted living programs strive to create a home-like setting that promotes independence. Nursing homes, on the other hand, are designed for people who need daily nursing care. These facilities have nursing staff available 24 hours a day, and have a range of services (social work, occupational and physical therapies, etc.) to meet the residents’ health care needs.
Assisted Living and Nursing Homes are two terms often used interchangeably, however this is a mistake. The two are actually very different, and a candidate for one is not a candidate for the other. The following are some differences between the two: Assisted Living Facilities: • Individuals in assisted living are more independent and can usually get through most of the day by themselves. They only need general help with daily activities like bathing, dressing, grooming and preparing food. • Assisted living candidates still enjoy social activities with other people and make autonomous decisions about their day. Someone who belongs in an assisted living facility would be downright miserable in a nursing home. • Assisted living facilities require limited to no medical care. An ideal assisted living facility candidate would be in good health both mentally and physically. • Assisted living facilities focus on personal privacy and self-sufficiency more so than a nursing home. Residents are a
