What’s the difference between residential assisted living and an assisted living community?
Size is one big difference. The number of residents in an assisted living community generally ranges from 30 to several hundred. Residential settings have between 4 and 16 residents—so it’s easier for the staff to get to know everyone well. The smaller home-like space of residential settings can benefit residents who may become overwhelmed by long hallways and confusing layouts. For those who can’t always initiate their own activities, residential settings reduce the chance for isolation. Residential homes can also pair with attending adult day care to increase socialization options. And they can personalize activities for individuals, rather than aim to please large groups. While services are generally the same in both settings, service delivery varies greatly. Large communities often do well serving residents with fixed routines and scheduled needs—regular times for bathing and getting dressed, scheduled meals and activities, etc. Residential settings can customize service delivery f
