Finding a Place for Mom or Dad: Assisted Living vs. Skilled Nursing
Taking care of your aging parents tends to get more complicated with time. As your mom or dad starts requiring extra help with everyday activities and demands more medical attention, you may want to consider alternatives to their current place of residence. But finding a place for Mom or Dad doesn’t have to be complicated. You have many options available, including assisted living and skilled nursing facilities. The choice of your parent’s new home depends on various factors, including their physical health, mental capacity, and preferences.
Let’s take a closer look at assisted living and skilled nursing facilities as options to consider.
Assisted Living Facility
An assisted living facility is a community that provides support to your elderly parent in a residential setting. This facility creates an environment for older adults who require assistance with daily activities but want to remain active and independent.
If you are looking for a place for Mom or Dad, who can no longer perform some regular daily tasks but doesn’t require 24-hour monitoring, an assisted living facility can be the right choice. It’s an excellent opportunity for seniors who want to maintain the regular rhythm of life with the help of professional caretakers.
Assisted living facilities provide a comprehensive array of services that include:
- Assistance with personal care tasks such as bathing, dressing, and medication management
- Grooming (haircuts, manicures, pedicures, etc.)
- Housekeeping and laundry services
- Transportation assistance
- Meal preparation
Trained staff members are available around the clock to provide support and ensure the safety of assisted facility residents.
Besides arranging proper physical and medical care, choosing an assisted living facility for an elderly parent comes with another important benefit. These facilities offer a community environment where seniors can engage in social activities and build meaningful relationships with their peers. This can help resolve loneliness and give older adults new reasons to stay active.
Skilled Nursing Facility
Skilled nursing facilities are residencies that provide round-the-clock medical care. They support elderly patients with medical conditions or those who are recovering from illness or surgery.
These facilities employ highly trained healthcare professionals, such as registered nurses and certified nursing assistants. They provide 24/7 medical supervision, including:
- Administering medications
- Arranging therapy
- Providing specialized treatments
Skilled nursing facilities also offer rehabilitation services such as physical, occupational, and speech therapy to help residents improve their quality of life.
These facilities arrange safe conditions that may be necessary for seniors with serious cognitive impairment and physical limitations. Meanwhile, they offer a supportive community environment where residents can interact with their peers and participate in social activities.
Assisted Living vs. Skilled Nursing
If your parents are still active and don’t require round-the-clock medical care, they can benefit from moving to an assisted living facility. Your mom or dad can receive high-quality support in these facilities while maintaining their independence.
Many seniors who only need minor assistance with daily tasks choose to move to an assisted living facility to take advantage of the multiple socialization options it offers. In fact, studies show that socialization can improve your older parents’ cognitive performance. It can also enhance their mood.
When your aging parent needs 24/7 health monitoring and treatment assistance, you may want to consider a skilled nursing facility. While these facilities don’t offer as much independence as assisted living options, they can help manage your mom or dad’s condition and improve their quality of life.
Choosing A Place for Mom or Dad
Choosing the best place for Mom or Dad is never easy. Your parents’ healthcare provider can help you make the final choice by evaluating their condition and giving care recommendations.