When an older loved one needs care, it can be challenging to understand all the options. The term “nursing home” is often used, but what does it mean? What should people know about choosing a skilled nursing facility vs. a nursing home in retirement? What services should you expect from senior living communities, and why are dining services for seniors so important? Expanding your knowledge about types of senior living, their goals, and the benefits of these senior care facilities can help empower you to choose the right place for your older loved one. Call 214.225.6197 to speak with someone from Ventana’s caring and compassionate team about our senior living services and community in Dallas, Texas.
Types of Senior Living: What Are Their Goals?
Before delving into skilled nursing facility vs. nursing home, it should be evident that not all senior care facilities are created equal. This is not to say that one type is better, but instead that not every senior needs the same kind of care for the same length of time. There are a few different types of senior care that you may find as you look for care for your loved one, such as the following:
- Skilled nursing facility – This type of care facility provides nursing care under the supervision of doctors, much like one would receive in a hospital. Often, skilled nursing facilities also encompass rehabilitation services. The goal is to help people recover to the point where they can return home.
- Long-term care or nursing home care – This type of care facility provides help with daily living tasks and supervises medical conditions. People who need nursing home care need help with these tasks for the foreseeable future, and the goal of this type of care is to ensure that people with memory, physical, or other chronic conditions are well cared for in their daily lives.
- Independent and assisted living – These types of care facilities focus less on medical and personal care, instead having a primary goal of meeting members’ social and practical needs. Some people have a condition that makes it less optimal for them to live alone, even though they can generally manage well. Others are simply ready to allow other people to take over the chores and tasks of everyday life so that they can enjoy their time as they wish.
What differentiates all the types of care from one another are the goals they each have.
Benefits of Long-Term Senior Living
There are many benefits to long-term senior living. One of the primary benefits is access to good nutrition, which becomes a problem for many seniors, especially when living independently. It can be boring or too work-intensive to cook whole, healthy, and balanced meals for one person. Also, medications and health issues can affect seniors’ appetites. Another issue is loneliness. Seniors who report feeling lonely are more at risk for many health conditions and often do better when they have opportunities to engage socially. Finally, for seniors, having help nearby if needed can make the difference between a little accident and a long, drawn-out recovery process. A long-term senior living community provides social, nutritional, and safety benefits.
Learn About Skilled Nursing Facilities vs. Nursing Homes in Texas with Ventana
At our senior living community, our members have access to a wide range of activities and amenities. From entertainment to lectures, travel, and sports, seniors can do it all with a community of active peers. No matter what level of care your loved one needs, we can accommodate them now or in the future. If you or a loved one has been considering a move to a senior living community, contact Ventana today at 214.225.6197.