Assisted Living vs. Enhanced Assisted Living

As people age, they may need more assistance with their day-to-day activities. This situation is where assisted living or enhanced assisted living come in. Both options offer different levels of care, so it can be challenging to decide which one is right for you or your loved one. This article takes a deeper look into assisted living vs. enhanced assisted living to help you make an informed decision.

What Is Assisted Living?

Assisted living is a kind of housing that offers various levels of medical and personal care for seniors, such as memory care communities. It can be an excellent option for those who don’t need full-time nursing home care but still need some daily living support. Living spaces in assisted living facilities can be individual rooms, apartments, or shared quarters.

The facilities usually provide a home-like environment and promote the resident’s independence. While assisted living services vary from one facility to the next, they often include:

• One to three meals daily
• Medication management
• Personal care, including bathing and dressing
• Housekeeping and laundry
• Some medical services
• 24-hour emergency care
• Senior recreation and social activities

What Is Enhanced Assisted Living?

Enhanced assisted living refers to a license that senior living communities obtain to differentiate their level of care from other facilities. With an enhanced assisted living residence (EALR) certification, a community can provide assisted living that transcends traditional assisted living levels of care.

Enhanced assisted living facilities can offer a full spectrum of clinical support to deal with challenging medical situations. These facilities have the necessary training and personnel to legally care for residents with some of the most complex care needs.

You or your loved one’s care needs may evolve. Enhanced assisted living communities have the necessary resources to provide personal care to help you or your loved one live comfortably at every stage of life.

The services you can get at an enhanced assisted living facility include:

• Personalized care plans
• On-site physicians
• 24-hour care
• Licensed nurses on staff around the clock
• A full-time registered nurse
• On-site rehabilitation services, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy
• Primary care partners offering diabetes and medication management
• Specialized memory care
• Palliative care
• Hospice or end-of-life care

The communities tailor their services to meet each resident’s specific needs.

The Difference Between Assisted Living and Enhanced Assisted Living Care

Traditional assisted living facilities offer home-like settings and daily support with personal care and meals. Their primary aim is to promote residents’ independence and overall wellbeing.

These facilities provide medical services like monitoring medication and ensuring access to emergency care. However, they do not offer extensive care. On the other hand, enhanced assisted living combines assisted living and skilled nursing-type services.

Whether you need a more independent life or memory care, specialized diets, feeding tubes, or other specialized services, this kind of community can meet your needs. Now that you understand assisted living vs. enhanced assisted living, you might want to know which is right for you.

Is Enhanced Assisted Living Care Right for You?

Enhanced assisted living communities provide a high level of care for your senior loved ones while upholding some level of independence. This kind of care is ideal for individuals needing more help than traditional assisted living care but less than specialized nursing care.

If you appreciate the independence assisted living offers but need additional support, enhanced assisted living care could be the perfect option. Cost may be another reason to choose enhanced assisted living. Enhanced living care services are usually less expensive than specialized nursing services.

If you suffer any of the following conditions, enhanced living care would be right for you:

• Alzheimer’s disease
• Dementia
• Multiple sclerosis
• Parkinson’s disease
• Congestive heart failure
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
• Incontinence
• Diabetes

Enhanced assisted living staff use acuity levels to determine the care and treatments residents need. Since these communities can offer any level of care, you do not need to leave if your care needs evolve.

While enhanced assisted living facilities hold the same EALR license, not all offer the right balance of care, comfort, love, and support. You should take the time to find one that suits your needs and budget.

Find a Senior Living Community in East Northport, NY

Now that you know what to choose between assisted living vs. enhanced assisted living care, where do you find the right community for your needs? If you’re looking for a reliable and affordable assisted living facility in East Northport, look no further than Birchwood Suites Assisted Living Community.

The community sits on five well-manicured acres in East Northport, surrounded by large birch trees and gardens with a spectacular duck pond. It offers the residents all the comforts of home. The caring staff is passionate about meeting each resident’s physical, social, and psychological needs.

To learn more about Birchwood Suites or to schedule a tour, please call 631-368-5252 or email admissions@birchwoodsuites.com.