Residential assisted living is a type of long-term care that provides assistance with activities of daily living (such as bathing, dressing, and medication management) in a home-like setting. It is designed for seniors who need some help with daily tasks, but who do not require the level of care provided in a nursing home.
Some benefits of residential assisted living include:
- A home-like environment that promotes independence and autonomy
- Individualized care plans that are tailored to the needs of each resident
- High caregiver to resident ratios
- Social and recreational activities that help seniors maintain a sense of community and engagement
- Access to trained staff who are available to provide assistance with daily tasks
- A lower cost compared to other long-term care options, such as nursing homes
In contrast, traditional assisted living facilities are larger, institutional settings with a lower caregiver to resident ratio. In residential assisted living, residents typically have their own private or semi-private room, whereas in traditional assisted living facilities, residents may share a room or apartment with one or more other residents. This can affect the level of privacy and autonomy that residents have. Another difference is the level of care provided. In residential assisted living, the emphasis is on providing individualized care to help seniors maintain their independence, whereas in traditional assisted living facilities, the focus is on providing a wide range of services to meet the needs of a diverse group of residents. This can often affect the level of support and attention that residents receive.
