What's the Difference Between a Retirement Home and Assisted Living?
While most think of retirement homes and assisted living facilities as synonymous, they differ vastly.
It is essential to know the difference between the two in order to make an informed choice about where you or a loved one is going to live. Assisted living communities and retirement homes offer different levels of care, services and features so it is important to examine all the aspects before choosing a community for yourself or a loved one.
A retirement home is a housing option for residents who are 55 years or older. These establishments consist of suites of rooms or apartments, each having a living area, a kitchen, a bedroom and one bathroom. Some retirement homes offer larger amenities dependent on the needs and choices of the resident. Many even offer rooms large enough for couples and host regular activity nights to entertain residents. Generally, retirement homes are low maintenance but fees may be included to assist with the upkeep of the grounds.
While each retirement home offers different housing options and amenities, they all feature a hands-off approach when it comes to care. Retirement homes usually do not offer healthcare services so that is where assisted living facilities come into play.
Assisted living facilities offer more personalised care while still in a residential-type setting. Assisted living communities are focused on seniors whose health and well-being require a bit more care and attention. Mental health and wellness are also a concern, with staff regularly planning and organising social engagements to promote a fun and healthy senior lifestyle.
An assisted living facility can provide assistance with everyday tasks such as dressing and grooming, as well as ensure medications get taken correctly. They also offer laundry service, transportation, and dining options to ensure residents are clean, happy, and fed. The staff is available 24/7 for resident's convenience, able to cater to their needs at the drop of a hat.
If you or a loved one have chosen to move into an assisted living facility, a wellness assessment is conducted to determine the amount of care wanted and needed. A personalised care plan is created to ensure you or a loved one are well taken care of. Please be aware that assisted living facilities offer personalised care but do not provide full-time skilled care like a nursing home would.
Contact Us to Learn More About Our Assisted Living Facility & Retirement Homes
If you are looking for an active and personalised facility for you or a loved one, consider Castlemeadow Care! We take great pride in providing thoughtful and thorough care for each and every one of our residents. We do our very best to meet the wishes of our residents, helping them get the care they need while making the most of life. We encourage our residents to lead a dependent, active, and happy lifestyle in any way that we can.
We’re a full-service assisted living facility, meaning that our staff is trained to provide everything from respite care to elderly and dementia care. To learn more about our retirement homes or assisted living options, please don't hesitate to contact us today!
We welcome residents from Norwich, Swaffham, Long Stratton, Swanton Morley, North Wootton, Dereham and the surrounding Norfolk areas.