People today live longer than they did years ago, which is one reason for the sharp increase in demand for nursing homes and assisted living facilities in recent times.

Today, you can find around 28,900 assisted living facilities in the U.S., and this doesn’t include all the nursing home facilities in this country.

If you’re trying to decide between a nursing home vs. assisted living for your loved one, you should know that it is a hard choice.

It would help if you tried to take your time when deciding to make sure you choose the right option, and it might help to research your options. Here is a guide to help you learn more about these options by comparing the pros and cons of each.

Nursing Home vs. Assisted Living: The Key Differences

What is the difference between assisted living vs. nursing home facilities? Finding out the answer to this question can help you choose the right option for your loved one, and here are three primary differences to learn:

The Assistance the Residents Receive

The first key difference is the assistance each facility offers to the residents. A nursing home provides full-time assistance every day all day. An assisted living facility provides limited assistance to the residents.

The Freedom the Residents Have

The next difference is the level of the freedom the residents have at each facility. An assisted living facility provides the residents with much more freedom than they can have at a nursing home.

The Amenities and Services the Residents Can Access

The final difference between a nursing home vs. assisted living is the amenities and services the residents can access while living there. A nursing home provides full-time care, but it might not offer things like free rides to the residents or day trips.

Assisted living facilities cater to residents who can still get around well on their own. As a result, residents can take part in daily activities, trips, and free rides.

Nursing Homes: Pros and Cons

To further understand these two options, it might help to learn the pros and cons of each. Starting with a nursing home, here are the pros and cons you might want to know:

The Pros of Nursing Homes

One excellent benefit of a nursing home is that it offers full-time care and assistance to the residents. People who need care around the clock benefit from living in a nursing home.

A nursing home provides nursing skills, assistance with bathing and personal hygiene, and meals. The staff provides all the care and services the residents need to maintain safety and good health.

If you are looking for a place for your loved ones that will provide everything they need, a nursing home is an excellent solution. You will have no worries about anything, as nursing homes provide everything to their residents.

The Cons of Nursing Homes

There are several downsides to nursing homes, too. First, the residents have very little freedom. They cannot choose their meals or schedules. The home plans these things for them.

Secondly, the nursing home costs might be higher because of the full-time services and care they provide to those living there. Finally, residents might not have access to as many activities due to the nature of their health.

If you are looking for a place for your loved one who needs only some assistance, a nursing home might not be the best choice. You might want to evaluate the criteria for assisted living vs. nursing homes before making your decision, though.

Assisted Living Facilities: Pros and Cons

Next, let’s move on to more information about assisted living. Learning about the pros and cons can help you decide on the best option, and it might also help if you learned more about qualifying for assisted living.

Here are the main pros and cons of assisted living facilities:

The Pros of Assisted Living

Assisted living provides a safe place for seniors to live where they can access assistance when they need it. Residents can enter assisted living facilities at different levels. Some may need little assistance, while others might need more.

Residents do not receive full-time assistance, though, in any case. People consider this a benefit because many seniors only need help in a few ways. They don’t need someone there, helping them with every daily task.

The result of this is an increased level of freedom. People living in assisted living have the freedom to do things they want to do. They can leave the facility when they want, and they can cook their own meals if they choose.

They can have visitors all the time, and they can take part in fun activities offered at the facility. The residents also have the freedom to decorate their rooms and bring personal items from home.

Residents also benefit from having access to help whenever they need it. They can schedule help for the times they need it, and they can push a button from their private units to receive help, too.

The Cons of Assisted Living

In addition to benefits, assisted living has several drawbacks. The first is that it is not ideal for seniors who need help with everything. If your loved one needs help with all tasks, you will benefit by moving them to a nursing home instead.

One other drawback of assisted living is that the residents might not have as much privacy and freedom as they would if they stayed at home. They will definitely have some freedom, just not as much as they might be used to having.

Choosing the Right Option Is Critical

Seeing the differences between a nursing home vs. assisted living facility can help you make the right choice for your loved ones. Remember, take your time in this decision, as it’s a crucial choice, and keep your loved one’s best interests in mind.