According to the American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living, there are roughly 32,231 assisted living communities that house around 1.2 million licensed beds in America.
When an elderly person can still do many tasks for themselves but needs some help, assisted living can be a viable option instead of a nursing home. However, these facilities experience many of the same issues as nursing homes, including the risk of neglect and abuse.
Level of Care
The most significant difference between nursing homes and assisted living is the level of care that each offers. Nursing homes provide 24/7 care for individuals with high medical needs and limited mobility, while assisted living communities offer lower-level support for residents who are aging into the senior care system.
Nursing Homes
- Help with bathing, eating, and dressing
- Mobility assistance
- Rehabilitation services
- Dialysis and wound care
- Palliative care
Assisted Living
- Medication management
- Help with household tasks like cleaning and laundry
- Transportation
Facilities
Nursing homes and assisted living communities also differ in the way the community is laid out and what programs residents and patients have access to. Since residents have fewer medical needs, assisted living facilities tend to host more social activities and allow residents greater freedoms than a nursing home.
Nursing Homes
- Hospital-like rooms and beds
- Rooms may be shared with other patients
- Limited social and recreational opportunities
- Patients are not allowed off-site
Assisted Living
- Individual, apartment-style homes with kitchenettes
- Some communities may allow pets
- On-site gatherings and social activity schedule
- Freedom to leave the facility as needed
Who Are Good Candidates for Nursing Homes vs. Assisted Living Communities?
Whether your loved one is a good candidate for a nursing home or an assisted living facility largely depends on their health status and how much medical care they need on a daily basis.
Nursing Homes
- Individuals who have significant medical issues
- Those who require intravenous or injected medications
- Those who have cognitive deficits or mobility problems
- Those who are a fall risk
Assisted Living
- Individuals who need basic assistance without full-time medical care
- Those who want an independent lifestyle
- Those who can still walk or use their own wheelchair
Rate of Abuse and Neglect
Unfortunately, abuse and neglect are present in both nursing homes and assisted living communities. In fact, 1 in 10 adults over the age of 60 has experienced a form of elder abuse according to the National Council on Aging.
However, patients in nursing homes may face higher rates of abuse since they are more likely to be unable to advocate for themselves. There may also be higher rates of neglect in nursing homes due to low wages and understaffing.
Assisted living facilities may have lower rates of abuse and neglect due to the fact that residents have less contact with care staff and are cognitively able to report wrongdoing. On the other hand, patients may be at a higher risk of neglect if staff assume they are able to complete certain tasks that they cannot or if patients don’t report increased needs.
Types of Abuse
Nursing home patients and assisted living residents can both experience:
- Physical abuse
- Medical neglect
- Psychological or emotional abuse
- Financial abuse
- Sexual abuse
How to Identify Elder Abuse and Neglect
The concept that your family member isn’t getting the care they need or could be the victim of abuse is terrifying. But it’s a reality that many families face. Understanding the signs that something isn’t right is the first step to getting your elderly family member justice.
Whether your loved one is in a nursing home or assisted living facility, be on the lookout for things like:
- Poor hygiene or unwashed clothing
- A dirty room or apartment
- Decreased desire to socialize with others
- Mood swings or increased agitation
- Unexplained regression
- Fear of staff members
- Bruises or other injuries
- Recurrent urinary tract or sexually transmitted infections
- Unexplained financial transactions or withdrawals
- Missing personal belongings
- Insisting on updating their will
How a Massachusetts Assisted Living Abuse Attorney Can Help
Your elderly family member deserves to have access to adequate medical care for their needs and be treated with dignity.
If you think your loved one may be suffering neglect or abuse in either a nursing home or an assisted living facility, a qualified attorney can help. At Mazow | McCullough, PC, we have extensive experience representing assisted living abuse victims and their families and can advocate for your loved one’s rights.
Contact us today to learn more or to schedule a no-cost consultation to discuss a potential case and next steps. Call now at (978) 744-8000 or toll-free at (855) 693-9084.
