Affordable Assisted Living Alternatives to Nursing Homes

Advantages Choosing Residential Assisted Living over Nursing Homes

Making the leap from living at home to living elsewhere is a decision that shouldn't be taken lightly. Most people will eventually face the dilemma of having to move either to a nursing home facility or an assisted living facility - and there is a big difference between the two. There are many advantages to choosing residential care homes over nursing homes or other facilities.

Home Environment

The biggest advantage that care homes have over nursing facilities is the home environment that residents experience. Not to impugn the nursing home industry as a whole, nursing homes provide a hospital type of setting that is clinical and not very much like living at home. Care homes offer a home-like environment that is very much like living in your own home; in fact, some residential care homes feature resident apartments, or at the very least, private rooms. In a nursing facility you will likely have a roommate and not very much space for your personal belongings.

Quality of Life

The quality of life for those who choose assisted living is typically greater than what is experienced in most nursing homes. Because the assisted living resident is encouraged to maintain their independence and remain active, these residents can enjoy their senior years to the fullest. There are activities planned for group fun or individual entertainment - and residents are further encouraged to run errands and keep appointments, entertain guests and more. Nursing facilities cannot offer this freedom.

Cost

The cost of a nursing home stay is around $4,000 each month; assisted living costs around $2,400, although it can be far less, depending on the facility that you choose. Because adult care homes usually charge a flat rate that encompasses rent, utilities, care, meals, and more - the cost of assisted living is a good value for most seniors that are covered by many private insurance companies and long term care insurance. Many nursing facilities will eventually seize and sell your home or other valuables to pay the cost of care after you have been admitted to their facilities for a certain period of time. Adult care homes do not follow those same guidelines.

If you are still independent enough to provide a certain level of self-care, but are just struggling with particular aspects of maintaining your ability to live on your own, residential assisted living or adult care homes may be for you.