Assisted Living vs. Nursing Homes: What’s the Difference? (Part 2)

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While assisted living facilities may be best suited for older adults who need help focused on activities of daily living, nursing homes may be the right choice for those who have significant medical conditions requiring care throughout the day and evening. Nursing homes are a better fit for those with severe health needs as they are able to provide more extensive healthcare services than assisted living facilities.

Nursing homes can provide critical medical support for people with mobility complications or cognitive challenges which limit their autonomy. Someone diagnosed with severe dementia may be best cared for in a nursing home, and some nursing homes have specialized memory care units for people with dementia. Nursing home staff can provide medical care and supervision while also helping with activities of daily living.

Living in a Nursing Home

Like assisted living facilities, nursing homes also offer help with daily living and can adapt to the needs of individual residents. Showers and bathtubs may have safety bars, for example, and doors may be wide enough to ensure there is enough space for those with wheelchairs.

Nursing homes, however, offer less freedom and independence compared to assisted living communities. Rooms in nursing homes usually don’t have their own kitchens, and people may share a room with another resident.

What Is the Cost of a Nursing Home vs. Assisted Living?

Both assisted living facilities as well as nursing homes can be a significant expense for residents and their families.

The median cost of assisted living in 2021 was $4,500 per month, according to SeniorLiving.org. In a nursing home, a private room averages $9,034 per month while the average cost of a shared room is $7,908 per month.

People can either pay for assisted living or nursing home fees out of pocket or using long-term care insurance. Medicare does not cover most long-term care.

Medicaid may provide coverage for nursing home fees depending upon certain factors, and it can also cover skilled nursing care and emergency response services for residents of assisted living facilities although it won’t cover room and board at these facilities.

Additional Resources

If you are looking for an assisted living facility or nursing home, here are some resources that may help:

For help with your elder law and estate planning needs, contact us at Wilson and Wilson Estate Planning and Elder Law, LLC at 708-482-7090.

https://www.elderlawanswers.com/assisted-living-and-nursing-homes-whats-the-difference-19463