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Assisted Living vs Nursing Homes: Which One is Right for Your Loved One?

Peter Brissette • May 24, 2021

When looking at nursing homes and assisted living communities for long-term care for your loved one, there are several factors to consider. There are important differences between these senior living options, so you want to choose the best type of facility that matches the health care needs and personal preferences of your family member. Considerations include the level of care and type of assistance that is needed, your loved one’s mental and physical health status, and their personal desires. If cost is a concern, you’ll need to find a solution that is within your budget or have a plan in place for help with expenses.

In this article, we examine the difference between assisted living facilities and nursing homes, and how to determine the right choice for your loved one. Assured Assisted Living is your premiere resource for expert residential care.

What is the Difference Between a Skilled Nursing Facility and an Assisted Living Facility?

A nursing home is designed for acute medical rehabilitation or long-term medical care and doesn’t offer the variety of recreational and social activities that assisted living facilities do. There are typically fewer residents in an assisted living facility.

Nursing Home Pros and Cons

One of the advantages of a nursing facility is that it includes 24-hour skilled nursing care, with limited medical treatments available. A nursing facility can accommodate those who need assistance to move around, and daily medical care is available.

However, there are several disadvantages of a nursing facility. Although some nursing homes are smaller, most are large institutional facilities with on average 100 residents. There is a lower caregiver to resident ratio, which leads to less personalized care.

Nursing homes tend to have limited activities, and while they have common indoor areas, outside areas are limited. Nursing home care is more expensive than assisted living.

Assisted Living Pros and Cons

A main advantage of an assisted living facility is that it provides long-term care in a comfortable, home-like, social setting. There are fewer residents than in a nursing home (the average is 50), with a higher caregiver to resident ratio and more personalized care.

Senior living communities typically offers a wide range of social and recreational activities, in addition to non-medical transportation. Accommodations are in private or shared apartments and studios with private baths and kitchenettes, with common living space and spacious outside grounds. A common misconception is that nursing home care is the only option for someone living with Alzheimer’s, but people with dementia can do very well in an assisted living community. This is especially true when there is a special memory care unit. Assisted living is less expensive than a nursing home.

The primary disadvantage of assisted living is that it doesn’t include round-the-clock skilled nursing care and is usually not designed for people who have trouble moving around.

However, the medicalization of assisted living is having an impact on long-term care environments. Many medical services can now be brought into senior living facilities through home health services. These include physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and wound care.

Direct Care Ratios at Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Communities

When comparing the staffing at assisted living communities and nursing homes, you should focus on the direct care staff — that is, caregivers who provide support and assistance to residents who cannot perform routine daily activities without help. The direct care staff to resident ratio at a nursing home (home health aides, CNAs or caregivers) can be as high as 1 to 14. This means that each caregiver may have 14 patients to attend to. The same can also be true with some of the larger senior living facilities.

Does Assisted Living Cost More Than a Nursing Home?

A nursing facility can cost nearly twice as much as a senior living community. The average monthly cost for nursing home care is $7,441, compared to approximately $4,000 for an assisted living community and $4,800-$5,200 for supervised dementia care.

Is Assisted Living Better Than a Nursing Home?

This depends on your loved one’s needs and desires. If they require 24-hour medical care, a nursing home may be more appropriate. If they need assistance with daily activities, supervision, plus recreation and social opportunities in a home-like setting, an assisted living facility is better.

What is the Next Level of Care After Assisted Living?

The next level of care is usually a nursing home, with round-the-clock medical care. However, it is possible to get a high level of care for your family member in a comfortable home-like environment. Assured Assisted Living offers a unique, customized approach to senior living.

Assured Assisted Living: The Best Nursing Home Alternative

At Assured Assisted Living, our mission of to provide our residents with the highest level of care while helping them to achieve their goal of independent living as much as possible. We specialize in individualized memory care for those with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.

Assured offers:

A direct care ratio of 1 to 4 – We provide one caregiver for every four residents, which is a far better staffing ratio than a nursing home and many assisted living facilities. This ensures that we meet the needs of our residents.
Purpose-built ranch style homes – Unlike nursing facilities, Assured care homes are designed to look and operate like a person’s own home, with a close family unit of residents and caregivers. These homes have had safety and security improvements to make the houses ideal for those with dementia and physical limitations.
An intimate residential home – Our care homes have a maximum of 8 to 12 residents — significantly less than a 100-bed nursing home. Our homes are welcoming, with no harsh, intimidating long corridors like you’d find in an institutional setting. They are designed to flow and feel like a family home, located in attractive residential neighborhoods.
A more personalized and higher quality care experience – We truly place our care before all else. Our caregivers are highly skilled in caring for the needs of those with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Residents are assisted and engaged on a one-on-one level. We know that a personalized care experience is critical for our older adults to thrive.
Lower turnover and more consistent staff – Residents engage with the same 6 to 8 caregivers weekly, as opposed to being engaged by 30 different staff members per week in a nursing home. Routines, familiarity and consistency are extremely important for those with dementia.
Montessori activities – These have been shown to be effective for people with dementia . The Montessori technique uses art, music therapy and physical activities to create sensory activities to stimulate positive emotions. We create purpose driven moments through positive engagement and mutual respect.
Exceptional end of life care – We bring in hospice agencies to assist our team to provide a positive end of life experience for our residents and families.
A dynamic care setting – We are constantly innovating to ensure that we provide the best care and environment for our residents.

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Senior Scams and Fraud Prevention: Protecting Your Loved Ones from Financial Exploitation

December 4, 2025

Financial exploitation is a growing concern for seniors, often leading to devastating consequences. As individuals age, they may become more vulnerable to senior scams due to social isolation, cognitive decline, or unfamiliarity with technology. Recognizing and addressing these risks is crucial to safeguarding their well-being. Understanding the types of scams and implementing preventive measures can significantly protect seniors from financial harm. Assisted living communities are pivotal in educating and protecting residents from scams. By fostering an environment of awareness and vigilance, these communities can help seniors navigate the complexities of modern fraud tactics. Staff training and resident education are crucial in establishing a robust defense against financial exploitation. Through collective efforts, the safety and security of seniors can be significantly enhanced. Understanding Common Senior Scams Scammers often target seniors with various fraudulent schemes to exploit their trust and financial resources. Common senior scams include impersonation of government officials, fraudulent investment opportunities, and deceptive tech support calls. These tactics are crafted to appear legitimate, making it challenging for seniors to discern the truth. Awareness of these common scams is the first step in prevention. Another prevalent scam involves fraudsters posing as distressed family members, requesting urgent financial assistance. This emotional manipulation can compel seniors to act hastily without verifying the authenticity of the request. Encouraging open communication within families can help prevent such incidents. Seniors should be advised to confirm such requests directly with the family member involved.

How Large Assisted Living Facilities Dodge the Care You Thought You Paid For

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Alright, folks, gather round and break down the top five reasons why you or let's be honest, your loved one might not be getting that VIP treatment you thought came with the brochure at one of those mega assisted living facilities. It's like expecting a gourmet meal and getting served a microwaved hot dog. Let's dive in. 1. High Staff Turnover: The Revolving Door Syndrome Imagine walking into your favorite bar, and every time, there's a new bartender. Yesterday, it was Tom. Today, it's Jerry. Tomorrow, who knows? That's your large, assisted living facility. Staff come and go faster than fashion trends. Why? Because working there is about as rewarding as trying to read "War and Peace" on a rollercoaster. This high turnover means just when your loved one finally remembers the name of their caregiver, poof, they vanish. It's like a magic trick nobody asked for. 2. High Resident to Staff Ratio: Where's Waldo? Now, picture playing a game of Where's Waldo, but instead of finding Waldo, you're trying to find a staff member to help you. That's right, in the sea of residents, finding a staff member is like finding a needle in a haystack, if the needle was also trying to hide from you. The ratio is so off, you might as well declare yourself a staff member and start helping. At least you'd know where one staff member is—spoiler alert, it's you.

The Importance of Dental Care for Seniors' Overall Health

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Understanding the Impact of Ageism and How to Advocate for Seniors

November 30, 2025

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The Forever Home: Smart Features Every Buyer Should Look for to Age in Place Gracefully

By Paul Trusik • November 28, 2025

For many home buyers approaching retirement, the ideal home isn’t about square footage or curb appeal—it’s about comfort, safety, and the ability to live independently for years to come. The goal is simple: find a house that grows with you. The Gist When searching for a home to age in place, focus on features that support safety, convenience, and adaptability—such as step-free entries, wider doorways, single-level layouts, and smart home technology. Accessibility, lighting, and energy efficiency should be considered essential, not optional. Home Features That Make Aging in Place Easier Below is a practical guide to help you identify homes designed for long-term comfort and independence. Accessibility Essentials ● Zero-step entryway ● Wide interior doors (at least 32 inches) ● Lever-style door handles and faucets ● Non-slip flooring, especially in kitchens and bathrooms Comfort Upgrades ● First-floor bedroom and full bathroom ● Walk-in shower with built-in bench ● Adjustable-height countertops ● Bright, glare-free lighting throughout Safety Features ● Grab bars near toilets and tubs ● No-threshold showers ● Smart home monitoring or emergency call systems ● Ample exterior lighting for nighttime safety For inspiration, explore resources like the AARP HomeFit Guide or design ideas from Houzz . Key Rooms and What to Check

Choosing a New Home Over a Hotel: A Family Member’s Journey to Find the Best Care

November 26, 2025

I was faced with the daunting and emotional job of finding the perfect living arrangement for our loved one, the decision weighed heavily on me. The thought of moving them from a life filled with the familiarity of their own home, neighborhood laughs, and backyard barbecues to a place that felt more like a sterile hotel than a home was unnerving. Through my journey, I discovered the unparalleled value of residential care homes over large, assisted living "warehouses." Ultimately, these are the top five reasons that guided my decision, echoing the sentiments of countless families in similar situations. 1. Seeking Warmth, Not Cold Efficiency In our family home, every corner tells a story, and every piece of furniture has witnessed laughter, tears, and countless memories. My struggle of replacing that love with the cold, sterile, and impersonal efficiency of a large assisted living facility felt off. Residential care homes, with their homely ambiance, personalized rooms and care, and shared areas, felt more like a continuation of home. It wasn’t about finding a place to stay; it was about finding a new home for our loved one. 2. From a Familiar Neighborhood to a Welcoming Community Our loved one had always been an integral part of our neighborhood, knowing everyone's names, their stories, and what made them smile. Moving to a large facility felt like I was ripping them of their sense of community. Instead, we sought a residential care facility that mirrored the close-knit community they had always loved. Here, relationships flourished not just among residents but also with caregivers, ensuring they would never be just another face in the crowd. 3. Customized Care Over Generic Services The thought of our loved one becoming just another task on a caregiver’s checklist was disheartening. In large facilities, the personalized care we hoped for seemed diluted by the sheer volume of residents. We turned to residential care for its promise of tailored, personalized care, where every aspect of our loved one’s needs, likes, fears, joys, and habits is met with the same attention and love they received at home. It was about ensuring their days were filled with care that recognized them as individuals, not numbers.

Combatting Social Isolation in the Digital Age: Creative Ways for Seniors to Connect Online

November 26, 2025

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The Rise of Geriatric Telehealth: Bringing Healthcare to Seniors in Assisted Living

November 21, 2025

Senior healthcare is undergoing a transformative shift with the advent of geriatric telehealth. Innovative approaches now leverage technology to provide medical services remotely, ensuring seniors receive timely and efficient care. As the aging population grows, the demand for accessible healthcare solutions becomes increasingly critical. Geriatric telehealth serves as a pivotal solution, bridging the gap between seniors and healthcare providers. Assisted living facilities are leading the integration of telehealth services to enhance the well-being of their residents. Adopting telehealth enables facilities to offer continuous monitoring, prompt medical consultations, and personalized care plans tailored to individual needs. Integration improves health outcomes and empowers seniors to maintain their independence. The rise of geriatric telehealth reflects a commitment to adapting healthcare delivery for the evolving needs of older people. Geriatric Telehealth Reduces Hospitalizations Through Early Intervention Geriatric telehealth helps identify health issues before they escalate into emergencies that require hospitalization. Virtual monitoring tools track vital signs and symptom progression in real-time, enabling proactive care decisions. Early intervention reduces the likelihood of complications associated with chronic illness. Seniors benefit from quicker response times and fewer disruptive medical events. Remote access to primary care providers ensures consistent health assessments. Regular check-ins allow caregivers to update care plans as needed. Preventive engagement promotes long-term health stability for residents.

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Understanding Elder Abuse Prevention and Protection Strategies

November 14, 2025

Elder abuse is a growing concern that affects millions of seniors worldwide. It can take many forms, including physical, emotional, financial, and neglect. Recognizing the signs and taking proactive measures is essential to ensuring the safety and dignity of older adults. Assisted living communities play a key role in prevention by providing structured support and vigilance. Creating awareness and implementing protective strategies can help reduce the risk of elder abuse. Families and caregivers must stay informed about potential warning signs and know how to intervene. Studies show that one in ten seniors experiences abuse, yet many cases go unreported. By understanding the issue, communities can create safer environments for their elderly loved ones. Recognizing the Signs of Elder Abuse Identifying elder abuse requires careful attention to physical, emotional, and behavioral changes. Unexplained injuries, bruises, or burns may indicate physical abuse. Emotional abuse can be harder to detect, but symptoms include withdrawal, fear, and sudden mood swings. Neglect may be evident through poor hygiene, malnutrition, or untreated medical conditions. Financial exploitation is another common form of elder abuse. Unusual banking transactions, missing valuables, or sudden changes in financial documents may signal exploitation. Caregivers and family members should regularly monitor financial statements to detect any irregularities. Protecting seniors from fraud requires education and proactive oversight.