Senior Housing Comparison

Small Communities

Large Communities

Care Methods

More personalized one on one care. Flexible to needs of residents.

Care parameters set by community with not much flexibility.

Types of Residents

Normally,residents in need of more care on a more frequent basis; more evidence of memory loss/dementia issues; most types and frequency of cares provided.

More independent residents who need general physical or mental monitoring and occasional help with bathing, dressing, medicine administration and other activities of daily living; too much care necessary in any category of care may require discharge to a higher care facility.

Staff Ratios

For every 6-8 residents there are 1-2 caregivers; provides one on one care, easy access to care and familiarity with caregivers.

For every 15-25 residents there is one caregiver. Due to fewer caregivers, the wait time for assistance/care can be longer.

Cost

“All inclusive” charges include most care levels; average range of costs: $2800-$3200 semi-private room; $3300-$4000 private room.

“A La Carte” charges for most additional care services…medicine administration, bathing and dress assistance, reminders, escort to meals and incontinence care. Average range of costs for moderate care…$4000-$4500 for a private apartment.

Number of Residents
Size of Community

Normally six to eight residents in a small Size of Community residential home…2500-3500 square feet; Caregivers provide care and dining in close proximity to residents.

Average number of residents is 75-100. Room/apartment distances for dining, activities and sometimes care/medicine administration can be long distances with elevator travel and long, confusing hallways.

Types of Care

Most levels of care normally without possible Discharge to a skilled nursing home.

Most types of care but if any one care or combination of cares become necessary, cost becomes very expensive and often requires discharge to a higher care facility. Memory care/dementia/Alzheimer’s care if severe can also result in discharge.

Memory Care
Dementia
Alzheimer's

Most levels of care are developed to handle Alzheimer’s  memory care issues of all kinds to include wander risks and moderate to severe

dementia.

Residents with these conditions can be adequately cared for if the care involved is related more to memory loss, confusion and the need<br>for reminders. Behavioral issues like the need for more constant care and attention and wandering require discharge.

Length of Stay

Residents can most often stay until end of life; care levels can be increased to those of most skilled nursing homes.

Discharge standards that usually require individuals with too much care to be discharged to a facility with higher care.

Meals

More options for meals/snacks/personal dietary preferences due to food preparation designed to meet the needs of a fewer number of residents.

Limited options based on community preparation for a larger group of residents.

Activities

Range of activities designed for preferences and abilities of the individual residents.

Schedule of activities usually designed for the most active and mentally alert residents of the community. Most residents do not participate.

Socialization

Attempts are made to get all residents involved with some kind of activities to the degree that they are able; residents have frequent socialization with caregivers who are close by at all times.

Only the actively social residents seek socialization. After the initial move-in time frame (the first several weeks), many residents isolate themselves in their rooms except for dining.

Medicaid

Permitted by many homes after private pay funds are exhausted or “spent down”; semi-private rooms are provided unless family supplemental funds are paid for private rooms.

Very few larger assisted living communities offer Medicaid and those that do often have long waiting lists or require a specific time period for paying privately (1-2 years) before being able to convert to Medicaid. If residents’ private pay funds are exhausted, they are discharged.