Assisted Living vs. Nursing Home: What’s the Difference?

Both assisted living facilities and nursing homes are responsible for their residents’ safety

Statistically, approximately seven in ten people will require some level of long-term care at some point in their later life. That said, not every elderly person needs the same type of care, and different facilities cater to different needs. The two most well-known options for senior care are assisted living facilities and nursing homes.

Each type of facility offers different services and is designed for residents with different capabilities. However, both nursing homes and assisted living facilities have a duty of care to their patients, and abuse or neglect in either setting can lead to serious, life-altering illness or injury.

What is assisted living?

Assisted living is a type of residential care for older adults who require assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), such as bathing, dressing, cooking, and managing medications. The basic concept of assisted living is to allow seniors to live as independently as possible while still getting the support they need.

Assisted living facilities employ caregivers who may help with ADLs such as bathing, dressing, grooming, housekeeping, meal preparation, laundry, and transportation. Many facilities also provide activities, social events, and various on-site amenities.

What is assisted living negligence?

While assisted living facilities care for residents with lower support needs compared to nursing homes, residents can still be seriously hurt if a facility doesn’t do its job. For example, failure to promptly clean up spills can lead to falls. Failure to assist residents with medication management can lead to dangerous medication errors.

In addition, assisted living facilities sometimes take on or keep residents whom they are not actually well-equipped to care for. For instance, many assisted living facilities advertise “memory care” services for residents with Alzheimer's disease or dementia, but they do not actually have the level of staffing and services needed to keep those residents safe. The consequences of such assisted living negligence can be devastating.

What is a nursing home?

Nursing homes, also known as skilled nursing facilities, offer a higher level of care for residents with complex medical needs. Nursing homes provide 24-hour medical care, meal assistance, and much closer supervision than assisted living facilities. The primary purpose of a skilled nursing facility is to manage and treat serious health issues in a safe, closely controlled environment.

Importantly, nursing homes are required to have a licensed nurse (LPN or RN) on site at all times. That means a trained medical professional is always supposed to be available to care for residents with serious medical conditions.

What is nursing home negligence?

Since nursing homes care for residents with serious medical needs, negligence can have severe consequences. Some examples of nursing home negligence include:

• Failing to monitor residents during meals, leading to choking incidents.
• Failing to properly manage and treat infections, leading to life-threatening complications like sepsis.
• Failing to supervise residents, allowing them to wander from the facility.
• Allowing residents to fall and suffer serious injuries.
• Hiring or retaining abusive staff.
• Failing to promptly treat injuries and illnesses.

Unfortunately, because nursing home residents are so vulnerable, negligence is often fatal. Even if a resident survives abuse or neglect, the consequences can dramatically affect their remaining lifespan and quality of life.

Our law firm holds negligent nursing homes and assisted living facilities accountable

Whether your loved one was harmed in a nursing home or assisted living facility, it’s important to know your legal rights and options. While no amount of legal action can undo what happened, we can pursue fair compensation for your losses, as well as accountability and closure for the incident. We fight hard for victims and their families because we believe our elders deserve better.

If your loved one was injured in an assisted living facility or nursing home, we can help. Contact Shuttlesworth Law Firm, P.C. today for a free, confidential consultation.

"I retained the Shuttlesworth Law Firm to handle a long-term care facility case for me. Perry and his staff were prompt, responsive, professional, and courteous throughout, and most importantly, they provided highly competent legal service. They couldn't have done a better job for me." – Rick, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐