In old age, when life presents new challenges, the need arises for a supportive and tailored housing framework. A retirement home is much more than just a place to live; it is a warm home that provides a response to the physical, medical, and social needs of your loved ones.
Choosing a retirement home is a significant decision that directly affects the quality of life of the elderly person and the well-being of their family members. To make the right decision, you must deeply understand the differences between the different types of retirement homes, and especially between a regular retirement home and a nursing home. This understanding will allow you to choose the framework that best suits the functional and medical condition of your loved one, and to ensure them a safe, supportive, and respectful environment.
What is a Regular Retirement Home and Who is it Intended For?
A regular retirement home is a housing framework intended for relatively independent elderly people, or those defined as mildly frail. These residents are able to perform most daily activities on their own, but may need slight assistance in certain areas. It is important to emphasize that these are people who are able to function independently and manage their personal lives.
The level of functioning of residents in a regular retirement home is characterized by the ability to perform activities such as eating, bathing, dressing, and mobility independently. However, they may need slight assistance with household maintenance, shopping, or cooking. Therefore, regular retirement homes provide basic services such as housing, regular meals, cleaning and maintenance services, as well as a variety of social and cultural activities.
One of the prominent advantages of a regular retirement home is the emphasis on the social aspect and leisure activities. Residents enjoy a vibrant social environment, allowing them to maintain social connections, participate in clubs, lectures, and trips, and fill their time with enjoyable and enriching activities. This social environment greatly contributes to improving mood, maintaining vitality, and preventing feelings of loneliness.
Sometimes, there is confusion between a regular retirement home and assisted living. It is important to understand that assisted living is intended for completely independent people who do not need any assistance with daily activities. In contrast, a regular retirement home provides a more supportive envelope, suitable for elderly people who need slight assistance.
Ultimately, the goal of a regular retirement home is to create a supportive and safe environment that allows elderly people to maintain their relative independence, enjoy an active social life, and maintain a high quality of life as much as possible. This is an excellent solution for elderly people who want to continue managing their lives independently, but need some help and support.
What is a Nursing Home and Who Needs it?
A nursing home is a housing framework intended for elderly people who are unable to function independently and need extensive assistance with daily activities. These are elderly people who are defined as “nursing-dependent,” meaning they suffer from significant difficulty or complete inability to perform basic daily activities (Activities of Daily Living – ADLs) such as bathing, dressing, eating, mobility, and bowel and bladder control.
The level of care required in a nursing home is very high, and includes supervision and medical and nursing care around the clock, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Residents need constant assistance in all areas of life, and therefore the institution provides a comprehensive response to all their needs.
The unique services provided in a nursing home include an expanded medical and nursing staff, including doctors, nurses, and skilled caregivers. This team provides full assistance with daily activities, para-medical treatments such as physiotherapy and occupational therapy, prevention of pressure sores caused by prolonged lying down, and adaptation of a special diet according to the health condition of each resident. In addition, routine medical services are provided such as medication administration, monitoring of vital signs, and treatment of acute medical conditions.
Beyond medical and nursing care, a nursing home emphasizes creating a tailored and safe environment to prevent falls and accidents. The structure is accessible, there are various safety measures, and the staff continuously monitors the condition of the residents.
One of the significant challenges in entering a nursing home is the cost of stay. Staying in a nursing home is not part of the healthcare basket, and therefore funding is usually done through private funding or by obtaining a “Ministry of Health code,” which allows for partial subsidization of the stay.
In summary, a nursing home is a vital framework for nursing-dependent elderly people who need close medical and nursing care. It provides a comprehensive response to the physical, medical, and emotional needs of the residents, and allows them to live with dignity and safety, under professional supervision and care.
What are the Main Differences in Services, Staff, and the Nature of the Framework?
The most significant difference between a regular retirement home and a nursing home lies in the level of medical and nursing care provided to the residents. In a nursing home, the scope of care, its availability, and the level of expertise of the staff are significantly higher. While a regular retirement home has a small staff providing basic medical care, a nursing home has a multidisciplinary team including doctors, registered nurses, nursing assistants, and physiotherapists, available 24 hours a day.
Another difference lies in the type of services offered. In a regular retirement home, the emphasis is on leisure and social activities, aimed at improving the quality of life of the residents and preventing loneliness. In contrast, in a nursing home, the emphasis is on intensive medical and nursing care, aimed at maintaining the health of the residents and assisting them in daily functioning.
The physical structure and level of accessibility of the institution also differ between the two types of retirement homes. In a nursing home, the structure is specifically adapted to the needs of nursing-dependent elderly people, with wide doors, safety railings, accessible bathrooms, and nursing beds. In a regular retirement home, the structure is less adapted to these needs.
The nature of the daily routine and activities for residents is also different. In a regular retirement home, residents enjoy a flexible daily routine, allowing them to choose their preferred activities. In a nursing home, the daily routine is more structured, and includes therapeutic and rehabilitative activities, alongside tailored leisure activities.
It is important to also consider the costs and funding options. Usually, staying in a nursing home is more expensive than in a regular retirement home, due to the high level of care and the expanded staff. However, there are various funding options, such as assistance from the Ministry of Health or nursing insurance.
Finally, it is important to distinguish between a nursing home and a nursing department, which may be part of assisted living or a regular retirement home. A nursing department provides limited nursing care, and is suitable for elderly people who need partial assistance with daily activities. A nursing home, on the other hand, provides comprehensive and intensive care, and is suitable for complex nursing-dependent elderly people.
Summary: How to Choose the Most Suitable Framework?
The essential difference between a regular and a nursing retirement home lies in the level of functioning of the elderly person and their need for close nursing and medical care. Before making a decision, it is recommended to perform a comprehensive functional and medical assessment, which will help understand the specific needs of the elderly person. It is important to adapt the framework to their physical, cognitive, and social needs, while considering location, budget, and recommendations. An informed choice will ensure the well-being and quality of life of your loved one.
