Whether it’s a health scare, a chronic medical condition that’s worse, the need for more opportunities to stay social and active, or you’re just tired of maintaining the house, there are many reasons to consider some additional help. However, families often believe that moving to a nursing home is one of the only options. Not true! Senior living in Hillsborough Township is another option, and despite what most people assume, it’s not the same thing as a nursing home at all. Here’s how senior living communities differ from nursing homes.
What Senior Living Senior Living Communities Offer
Many people are surprised to find that senior living is actually a continuum of care. Some senior living communities offer one type of care on the continuum, while others offer multiple types of care on one campus. The most common types of senior living in Hillsborough Township include:
- Independent Living – This is considered the entry point in the continuum for senior living communities as it’s more of a lifestyle choice for seniors who can still live independently than a type of care. In independent living, residents enjoy a more active, social way of life free of the hassles of chores and home upkeep. It also features a range of accommodation options, amenities, and a full calendar of events and activities.
- Assisted Living – This type of care has many of the same features as independent living. But in addition, assisted living also offers personalized care and support with activities of daily living like bathing, dressing, and medication management. Care staff is available 24/7, and a registered nursing team is also onsite to provide the right amount of support to help residents remain as independent as possible while enjoying an active, engaging, and purposeful life.
- Memory Care – Specifically designed to nurture those with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, this type of care features 24-hour support in a secure, calming environment with staff specially trained in memory care. Residents have daily support and opportunities to socialize, stay active and enjoy purpose each day, regardless of the degree of cognitive impairment.
Download our Senior Living Options Guide!
What Makes Nursing Homes Different?
While senior living in Hillsborough Township offers multiple types of care, a nursing home provides one specific type of care. As such, nursing homes differ from senior living communities in ways that include:
- Type of Care – Nursing homes specifically provide round-the-clock and/or specialized care such as treating wounds, intravenous (IV) therapy, injections, catheter care, and medical management of chronic conditions. On the other hand, assisted living regulations require that residents are medically stable, and onsite medical care is typically unavailable in independent living.
- The Setting – Nursing homes are primarily medical settings and, as such, feel more like hospitals. Accommodations are typically small rooms that are often shared. However, in senior living in Hillsborough Township, residents enjoy a range of accommodations from private, luxury apartments to condos to townhomes depending on the community and the type of care provided.
- Lifestyle – Because of the higher level of care nursing homes offer, there’s more of a focus on the clinical needs of residents versus lifestyle and amenities. In contrast, senior living communities focus on providing an active, social lifestyle and overall well-being. So while there may be some activity programming in a nursing home, it’s nothing like the range of activities, outings, clubs, and classes offered in senior living communities.
For more information, download our Senior Living Options Guide today! Or contact us today to schedule a tour.
