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Nov 30, 2022

What Is Long-Term Care? Is It Different from Assisted Living?

“Long-term care” is an umbrella term for assisted living, skilled nursing and memory care. When you begin exploring options for long-term care, a nursing home might be the first image that comes to mind. But you should know that these levels of care can be found in places other than a nursing home. A few different types of long-term care facilities provide medical services and personal care to seniors who need help with activities of daily living. 

Before you decide where the best place is to receive a certain type of care, it’s important to understand what is involved in each type of long-term care. 

Skilled Nursing

Skilled nursing facilities provide long-term care for those who need continuous care for medical needs and significant help with the tasks of daily living. They’re licensed to offer care by trained medical staff, including wound care, IV therapy, medication injection and close monitoring of chronic health conditions. In addition, rehabilitative care is provided to help patients recover after an injury, illness or surgery. This level of care may be needed for a short time after a hospital stay for rehabilitation, or for the long term in cases when a person’s chronic illness or disability requires the specialized care of skilled nursing. 

Senior woman speaking with nurse

Residents of a nursing home typically reside in a private or semiprivate suite with a nurse’s station nearby. A physician oversees the care of each patient in a skilled nursing setting, with care delivered by a team of medical providers including doctors, registered nurses, and licensed physical, occupational and speech therapists. 

Assisted Living

Assisted living communities provide hands-on help and support with activities of daily living, such as medication management, grooming, dressing, and more. The level of care is customized according to the needs of each resident, with a plan of care that evolves as your needs change. Assisted living is a great choice for those who want the safety and security of 24/7 access to care within their own apartment. 

Seniors socializing in an assisted living community

Assisted living residents enjoy full access to the amenities and services within a community setting, such as restaurant-style dining, salon and spa services, wellness programs, lifelong learning classes, and a full calendar of enriching activities. Transportation services are typically available, making it easier to travel to medical appointments without the worry of driving or arranging a ride with a family member. Learn more about the benefits of a maintenance-free lifestyle and what life is like in an assisted living community.

Memory Care

Memory care communities offer support for residents and their families dealing with the challenges of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. They provide long-term care and assistance with daily activities in a safe setting intentionally designed to support those with memory loss. Team members are specially trained in dementia care, and they partner with families to provide the best memory care possible for each individual.

Memory care residents have the option to engage with daily activities that inspire creativity and social interaction, including opportunities to live each day with joy and purpose. At The Ridge Senior Living, our innovative approach to dementia care is based on building relationships with our residents in memory care so we can better support their unique needs.

Long-Term Care for Your Loved One

Our team at The Ridge Senior Living provides high-quality long-term care options to make life easier for residents and their families. We partner with you to create customized care plans for assisted living and memory care designed to help your loved one maintain as much independence as possible. Here you’ll enjoy an elevated lifestyle and luxury amenities that far exceed those of typical long-term care facilities. Learn more about our senior living options in Utah and Colorado.