There are many different types of care homes, and it can be hard to know where to start.
The names can get a bit confusing and influence your choice of which one to actually go for.
The first step is finding out which kind of facility best fits your needs.
So in this article, we will provide you with some useful pointers and tips to help you decide what would be best for you/loved one.
What’s the difference between assisted living and retirement homes?
If you’re looking for a more independent option, Retirement homes are a better choice. Assisted living facilities are more like nursing homes and offer less independence than Retirement homes.
Retirement homes typically costs less than Assisted living facilities because it doesn’t include some of the amenities that come with senior living such as 24-hour care or extended stay options like hospice care or skilled nursing.
Staffing and Services
Retirement homes do not have any specialized types of assisted living available such as Alzheimer’s or dementia care.
They also do not provide support services like 24/7 monitoring or personal assistance with bathing and medication administration.
This can be very stressful for families because these tasks will be left up to the residents themselves once they leave the facility—which may not always happen due to personal reasons or financial constraints (in case someone becomes ill).
Retirement homes are not designed to cater for Medical needs so you’re less likely to see a dedicated health team at such communities.
Instead, they have a security team that put out distress calls in times of emergency or unforeseen health situations.
Health is where Assisted Living comes in.
Assisted Living Facilities provide many different levels of service depending on each individual family’s needs:
from independent living apartments all the way down through full time nursing homes where staff members are constantly around 24 hours per day providing help with Activities of Daily Living such as bathing/washing clothes etc.
Cost
One of the first things to keep in mind is that assisted living facilities tend to be more expensive than retirement homes.
In fact, most senior centers and nursing homes offer some sort of assisted living services or programs as part of their regular package.
Assisted Living facilities could cost up $5000 and above. This will be closely tied to the location as well as the level of care that will be needed by the intending resident.
Retirement homes on the hand do not charge that much. Fees can start from as low $1500 to $6000. The costs will also vary depending on location as well as requirements.
If you’re looking into these options for yourself or someone else, it’s important to get an idea of how much money you’d spend on two different types of places before making your decision.
Both have their advantages, so choosing the right place comes down to knowing your needs and options.
If your needs are more basic and simple, then a Retirement community might be the best option for you.
If, on the other hand, you have specific health concerns or specific care needs that require more intensive care than what is provided at an assisted living facility (such as Alzheimer’s patients), then assisted Living facilities could be better suited for your situation.
Conclusion
It’s important to remember that assisted living and retirement homes are not the same thing. While both can help people age in place and live somewhat independently, there are many differences between them.
If you’re unsure about which is right for your loved one, don’t hesitate to contact us for a free consultation!
We’d be happy to answer any questions you may have or help guide you through this process so that when it comes time for choosing an option, we can confidently tell you which might be best for you or your family member.
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