How to Compare Assisted Living and Residential Care Communities

Dear Paul:

My husband’s father recently told us he’s reached the point where he feels like his house is just too much for him. He also has diabetes and really struggles to maintain a healthy diet. Dad has often told us it’s too much work to cook healthy meals for just one person. We know he eats frozen dinners and fast food too often. I try to stock his freezer once a month, but it’s not easy. My husband and I both have busy jobs and three teenagers to keep up with.

We think Dad would do well in a senior housing center where meals are provided and there are activities for him to be involved in every day. He’s been so lonely since my mother-in-law passed away three years ago. I’m convinced the loneliness is making his health problems worse.

We’ve been researching the options for senior living in and around Dallas, and are having trouble deciding if an assisted living community or a residential care home would be better. He has a good pension and should be financially secure once his home is sold so I think he can afford either choice.

Can you help point us in the right direction?

Sharon

Dear Sharon:

Great question! Families aren’t always sure what the differences are between these two types of senior housing. What’s also interesting is that you made the connection between loneliness and your father-in-law’s decline in health. In recent years, studies have proven that loneliness is indeed a health risk for older adults. It contributes to health problems ranging from high blood pressure to depression.

Here are a few of the differences between an assisted living community and a residential care home:

• Assisted living communities tend to have a larger physical plant and a greater number of residents. By contrast, a residential care home is smaller and can accommodate far fewer residents.
• While seniors living in a residential care facility have better caregiver to resident ratios, they tend to have more limited life enrichment programs. An assisted living community usually offers a broader, more diverse number of activities for residents to participate in each day.
• Cost is another factor. Residential care homes are significantly less expensive.
• Both types of senior living communities would be able to help make sure your father has healthy, well-balanced meals every day. It sounds like this is one of the areas you are the most concerned about.

We would be happy to help you narrow your search to a few communities in the Dallas area. Since 2008, we’ve helped over 2,000 families find a senior care solution for a loved one.

Please call us today at 214-929-5055 to learn more!

Kind Regards,
Paul

Senior Living Specialists is a free service for seniors and their families. We are compensated by a referral fee when a senior moves into a community or care home.