The terms get tossed around as if they mean the same thing. A neighbor says her father moved into "a nursing home," and it turns out she means an assisted living community. Your parent's doctor recommends "more support," and you're not sure which type of care that even refers to. If you've ever felt confused by the overlap, you're far from alone, and the distinction matters more than most people realize.
If you care for a parent from afar (maybe living in another state while your parent is in Lake Worth, FL, or somewhere in Palm Beach County) you already know the weight of the distance. The missed doctor's appointments. The late-night worry after an unanswered phone call. The nagging feeling that you should be doing more.
Here's something you might need to hear right now: the fact that you're reading this article means you care deeply about your parent. That instinct, the one that's been nudging you to research, to plan, to worry, isn't something to feel guilty about. It's love showing up as action.