Paramount Senior Living Blog

The Difference Between Assisted Living and Nursing Homes

With the different types of senior care out there, it can be difficult for families to understand which one will best suit their loved ones. On paper, an assisted living community and a skilled nursing center sound very similar, which can make choosing the best care for your loved one confusing and hard to navigate.
While assisted living and nursing home descriptions can sound similar, there are distinct differences between the two types of care.

Definition of Assisted Living

Seniors in a Senior Living Community CafeAn assisted living community is a senior housing option where residents receive support from professional caregivers to allow them to lead an independent life. In these communities, residents usually have their private apartments or suite. Caregivers are always near-by around the clock to assist when needed.
In an assisted living community residents also receive support with a variety of personal care tasks such as grooming and bathing as well as medication management continence care, and toileting. Other standard amenities and services include:
  • Transportation services
  • Wellness programs
  • Chef-prepared meals and snacks
  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
Daily life-enrichment opportunities are also available in an assisted living community. These opportunities include things such as on and off-campus social activities such as book clubs, card groups, and movie nights.

Definition of a Nursing Home

A nursing home is focused on caring for residents who have more complex medical needs. For a nursing home, skilled nurses are available 24 hours a day, typically with physical and occupational therapists on staff as well.
Similar to an assisted living community, residents in a nursing home also require help with their basic living tasks such as dressing, eating, bathing, and medication management. Residents will commonly have a private or semi-private room with a bathroom, without a kitchenette or living room.
Residents enjoy three nutritious meals a day and also have the opportunity to participate in life-enrichment activities like cultural outings, art gallery visits, and book clubs. Housekeeping and laundry services are also provided, along with a limited transportation schedule.
When choosing between a nursing home and an assisted living facility, it is essential to base the decision on your senior loved one’s wishes and specific needs. A great way to get started is to sit down together with your loved one and create a list of areas and tasks of daily life they struggle with to help you move in the right direction.

Comprehensive Senior Living Service at Paramount Senior Living

Paramount Senior Living is a leading provider of senior living services, providing a range of assisted living services and other senior care to meet your family member’s needs. When searching for “assisted living near me,” be sure to choose Paramount Senior Living. Contact us today to learn more about our senior living services.

How Friendships Impact Aging in Seniors

There are many factors that help promote healthy aging, from exercise to eating healthy and getting a full eight hours of sleep. These factors are essential at any stage in life, but for older adults, friendships also play an essential role in aging. With a strong, supportive group of friends, you may live a longer and healthier life.

Research has found that staying connected to your friends will encourage you to socialize more frequently and will also help you stay active in your community. This may also help you stay on track with health screenings and other essential self-care efforts. Continue reading

Benefits of Moving to a Senior Living Community

While you may have your own large, beautiful home, you may have noticed that it is empty more often than not since your adult children have moved out on their own. You may have also noticed the keeping up with all the housework, landscaping, and home maintenance has become more difficult. With these realizations, you may be wondering if it is time for you and your spouse to move into a senior living community. Continue reading

What are Ways to Celebrate Holidays in Senior Living Communities?

Choosing an assisted living facility near you.

The holidays are a time when folks come together to celebrate traditions. And, while many seniors who reside in a senior living community will spend time with their loved ones this holiday season, there are many residents who choose to stay put. We have found, nearly 50 to 80 percent of senior citizens choose to stay within their senior living community over the holidays. That number jumps to nearly all residents whom require some sort of memory care.
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Proper Nutrition for Senior Living

Paramount Senior Living: Affordable & Independent Senior Living

At every age, we have specific nutritional needs. Newborn babies require calcium to build their bones and teeth. Teenagers eat a healthy balance of fats, carbs, and proteins to maintenance energy and growth. Middle-aged men and women begin to supplement nutrients – like Omega-3’s and Vitamin D – to help maintain heart health and the loss of bone density.
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Early Signs of Alzheimer’s

Growing older has its ups and downs. With age, you may grow a bit wiser and have a little more wiggle room financially to do things you couldn’t do when you’re younger – Venice, Italy – need we say more.

Then there are times you realize you are taking more and more breaks cutting the lawn or that sticky notes have increasingly become part of your kitchen’s decor. We will all suffer from the occasional “senior moment”. But when are “senior moments” more than just that? Continue reading

Ask These Questions When Choosing a Memory Care Community

Whether your loved one is currently residing in an assisted living community, or they are still living independently, if the need arises for memory care in an assisted living setting, you’ll want to know as much as possible about the care centers you and your loved one are considering. There are several types of questions you should ask as you explore your different options: Continue reading

Assisted Living vs. Skilled Nursing

If you’re looking into long-term living options and wondering which environment to choose, you’ll want to understand the similarities and differences between skilled nursing care and assisted living or personal care communities near you. Knowing what these two options offer will help you assess which one is best for you at this point in your life.
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