What is the difference between assisted living and nursing homes?
As recently as the mid-1980s, the limited options for senior citizens needing assistance were living with a family member or living in a nursing home. There was really no place for a senior citizen who needed perhaps some assistance with dressing, bathing, meals, etc., but did not need the level of care found in a nursing home. For many high functioning seniors who live with challenges, living in a nursing home with lower functioning residents can be depressing and debilitating. In many cases, an assisted living community like The Ecumenical Community will focus on a resident’s remaining strengths and abilities. In other words, focus is on what tasks the resident can still appropriately perform on his/her own rather than emphasizing those areas that the resident needs assistance with. Assisted living is a wonderful option for a senior who may have some special needs, either physical or memory impairment, which are not suitable for a skilled nursing home environment. Assisted living is
