Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Nursing Homes

Have you been wondering whether it’s time for you or a loved one to move into a nursing home? Perhaps an independent or assisted living community would be more appealing? Like many people, you may be confused about the difference between independent living, assisted living, and life in a nursing home. This blog by Visiting Angels of NW Houston will fill you in on the differences between these three approaches.

Independent Living

Independent living communities are designed to be convenient, so seniors can be as independent as possible. They may have a café where seniors can eat a meal without leaving the community, or they may allow residents to order meal delivery – but they don’t usually offer assistance with meal planning, nutrition, or daily tasks. Because this type of community doesn’t offer as much assistance, family members may still need to provide support by helping with errands or other needs.

Assisted Living

Assisted living facilities offer more support than independent living communities, but more independence than a nursing home. An assisted living community is similar to a condo or an apartment complex, with a wider range of services. Assisted Living facilities do not offer medication, personal care, or transportation assistance. They typically offer community dining, activities, and laundry services. However, residents do need to be ambulatory to access all these resources.

Nursing Homes

Nursing homes are intended for seniors who need medical care and monitoring around the clock by trained nursing staff. Because the medical needs of the residents are more extensive, a nursing home is likely to resemble a hospital environment more than an apartment complex. In addition, most nursing home residents don’t have private rooms – they typically share a room with another resident. Nursing homes are essential for residents who need 24-hour nursing care, but it’s best to keep seniors as independent as possible for as long as possible – and Visiting Angels can help you do that! To learn more, call Visiting Angels at 832-705-8911.