Moving a loved one from an independent living setup at home to a senior care facility can be pretty stressful and challenging. Naturally, you want to find a facility where they feel comfortable and at peace. Regardless of where you live, your choice will often come down to two options; assisted living vs. residential care facilities.
While these two facilities seem the same thing, we have some features that are only unique to each one of them. Whatever you choose will come down to the preferences of your loved one, but it is critical to understand the differences between these two senior care facilities.
So, what are the differences between assisted living and residential care facilities? Read on to find out everything you need to know.
What Is a Residential Care Facility?
A residential care facility is a relatively small private senior care facility that is staffed round the clock and is fully dedicated to delivering non-institutional home care services to its clients. In most cases, people who move into a residential care facility don’t need nursing care.
Keep in mind that the name for a typical residential care facility can vary significantly from state to state. In some states, such as California, these facilities are usually referred to as “board and care homes.”
The other names for residential care facilities include residential care for the elderly, sheltered housing, personal care home, domiciliary care, senior group home, adult foster care, and homes for adults.
Many of the residential care facilities were once single-family residences situated in suburban neighborhoods. The residences were then converted into multi-unit dwellings and modified to the needs of senior citizens.
The rooms in these facilities may be shared or private, but the bathrooms, living rooms, and dining areas are shared.
Besides personal care, meals, and housekeeping, these facilities also help with daily living activities such as dressing, grooming, bathing, moving around, toileting, and storing/distributing medication.
Advanced residential care facilities may even offer some level of medical services and medication. However, they don’t provide certain types of medical-level care such as treatment of open bedsores and tube feeding.
How Much Does It Cost to Live in a Residential Care Facility?
Research shows that residential care facilities cost almost the same amount as assisted living facilities. On average, seniors pay $4,000/month to receive care.
But you need to keep in mind that costs may vary greatly depending on the level of care required, location, and the overall quality of the home.
Residential care facilities usually don’t accept Medicaid or Medicare. They only accept private payment, long-term care insurance, or money from VA Aid & Attendance.
What Is an Assisted Living Facility?
Like residential living facilities, assisted living facilities are senior care facilities dedicated to providing a wide range of personal care support services, making it relatively easy for seniors to handle their activities of daily living.
Some of the support services offered in these facilities include bathing, toileting, cooking, eating, and even medical management. These facilities can house anywhere from 30 to 300 beds. They have professional staff available 24/7 to ensure that the seniors are safe and well taken care of.
These facilities provide most of the essential services offered by different senior care options, such as skilled nursing homes and independent living facilities.
Assisted living facilities are divided into different levels of care. For instance, some facilities may be entirely independent, while others may provide access to skilled nursing care that can manage a wide range of chronic health conditions to provide your loved one with the highest quality of care possible.
People who live in assisted living facilities can socialize with each other freely. There is usually a central dining area and organized social activities to keep the seniors active and entertained. The primary goal here is to keep the mind active, which helps prevent the deterioration of neurological faculties.
Assisted living facilities offer transportation services that can take your loved one outside the facility to run errands or fulfill medical appointments.
It is also good to note that assisted living facilities may be semi-private or private apartments furnished with a relatively small kitchen area. Healthy meals and snacks are provided by the facility.
How Much Does It Cost to Live in an Assisted Living Facility?
The price for many assisted living facilities can range from $4,500 to $13,000 per month. Typically, the cost depends on several factors such as location, type of apartment chosen, and the level of care your loved one needs.
Should you include Alzheimer’s care in your requirements, the average cost could range from $5,500 to $15,000 per month. Keep in mind that these figures are subject to change depending on the facility you choose.
Assisted Living vs. Residential Care Facilities: What Is the Difference?
Up to this point, you may be wondering what is the difference between these two types of facilities because they offer highly similar services.
Well, the two biggest things that differentiate them are size and cost. Assisted living facilities are generally bigger than residential care homes when it comes to the number of residents they can hold.
However, the level of care is more personal in a residential care home since every caregiver is only assigned a maximum of four senior residents. So, if your loved one is still active and independent, other options such as continuing care facilities may be better.
Assisted living facilities are generally more expensive than residential care facilities because of the level of care offered. Some of the social activities and events offered by these facilities include outings and field trips, focus group discussions, and highly supervised group exercises.
Assisted Living vs. Residential Care Facilities: Choosing the Right Option for Your Loved One
Choosing between assisted living facilities and residential care homes can be pretty challenging. However, the easiest way to make the right decision is to involve your loved one in the process. They probably know what they want and will make your work easier.
If your loved one can’t make a sound decision and you are stuck at choosing one between the two, feel free to reach out to a professional for help.
The expert will assess your loved one’s needs and help you find the best assisted living or residential care home for their needs.
