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There are several differences between a personal care community and an assisted living community. The first difference is that the community offers more one-on time with doctors and nursing staff members than does the facility that might be the traditional nursing home. While some may see this as unnecessary, many seniors simply don’t have time to make it to their doctor’s appointments or to make it back to their nursing home when their doctors are gone. And if they do need to make it back to the community after being in the assisted living facility, they typically can’t do so without having someone at the door to encourage them. If the seniors in a caring community don’t feel like they’re looked at as an individual by the staff members, then that may be why they end up feeling lonely.
Another significant difference between the two types of communities is the atmosphere. The elderly population is not only much larger than the general population, but it is also generally more depressed. One of the reasons that these facilities are so popular is because they help lift the spirits of their patrons. One of the things that the older generation finds lacking when living in a nursing home is a sense of community. By offering social activities for the elderly, interaction with other individuals is increased and provides a home-life balance.
One of the differences between a personal care community and an assisted living community is also the level of physical exercise the seniors receive. The personal care community provides plenty of walking and exercise opportunities for its residents, while the assisted living facility is often too crowded for their liking. The elderly also tend to be more independent and self-sufficient when staying in a care facility. They may not be as friendly and sociable as the residents of a nursing home, but the personal care staff always try to make the seniors feel wanted. In some cases, the elderly simply do not want to leave their homes, especially if they are familiar with their surroundings. When they are in a personal care home, many of these residents are known to retain their independence.
