Deciding to move into a senior living community is a huge decision that does not come easily. Many people struggle to make this decision and choose the right community that will provide what they need. Because of this, you will want to understand the difference between Peachtree City, GA, personal care vs assisted living communities.
These communities may seem very similar on the surface, but there are different levels of care provided. If you have specific care or medical needs, these are details you will want to understand before coming to a decision. So, keep reading to find out what the difference is between an assisted living and a personal care community.
Personal Care Communities
When you move to a personal care community, you get to live in a residential building that has a medical model of care. Because of this, they are equipped with nurse care 24 hours a day and have everyone’s medical records on site. This allows the care team to take care of any medical needs the residents may have on-site with the supervision of a nurse.
Those who live in personal care communities usually require a higher level of day-to-day care. They may need help with things like eating, personal hygiene, getting out of bed, and moving around the campus.
Because of what they provide, personal care communities are ideal for residents who require consistent medical care. Even if you have a certain level of independence, you may still need daily assistance from medical professionals.
Personal Care Benefits
Aside from the 24-hour care you get at a personal care community, you also get socialization and a tight-knit community. You will be living with other residents and will have constant access to specially trained staff who are there to help with anything you need.
Living in this kind of community ensures you can form connections and have human interaction every single day. Extra assistance is also provided if your care needs evolve or you need temporary services added to your care regime.
These communities also provide emergency call systems with a responsive team that works around the clock. If you ever have a medical emergency, everything you need will be provided.
Assisted Living Communities
When you are deciding between Peachtree City, GA personal care vs assisted living care, you should break it down into what is provided. When it comes to assisted living communities, this is a community that is more of a social model than a medical model.
Assisted living communities provide day-to-day assistance depending on what each resident needs. However, assisted living residents often have more independence as they require much less medical attention from the assisted living team.
An assisted living community also does not have the resources to provide more advanced medical services. If you live in this community, you will be in charge of your own medicine in terms of dosage and administration. The only kind of medical care assisted living staff provides is first aid in the case of an emergency.
Assisted Living Benefits
An assisted living community is not going to be ideal for everyone, especially if you have more extensive care needs. But this is still a great option if you do not require extensive care but still want some daily assistance.
Assisted living communities provide independence and privacy under the care of a trained team who are there if you need them. They can help remind you to take your medication, ensure you eat three meals a day, and provide daily activities and entertainment.
The atmosphere of this community feels more social and allows you to spend your days as you please. This includes enjoying the privacy of your apartment or spending time outdoors, as well as socializing in one of the community buildings or dining rooms.
How to Choose the Right Senior Community
When you are deciding between an assisted living or personal care community, you need to evaluate your care needs. This doesn’t just include understanding what you need right now but understanding what you may need in the future as well. After all, your care needs are ever-evolving, and you want to choose a community that can evolve with you.
Understanding which community is best for you is simple since assisted living and personal care communities have very different standards. If you require any kind of consistent medical care, you will need to choose a personal care community where the staff have this experience.
You also want to consider what your future care needs may entail depending on your current health. For instance, if you have an illness that is progressing, you may want to move to a personal care community even if you have more independence right now. Or, if you have a memory-related disease, you may find that a personal care community will be a necessity in the future.
It’s important to thoroughly research each community you look at since not every senior living community will provide the same features. For instance, you may want transportation services or other daily amenities such as laundry services, housekeeping, and exercise classes.
The Journey to Senior Living for Seniors
If you want to join a senior living community, you will have to decide on the type of community that is best for your care needs. This decision can feel overwhelming since every care option provides different services you will have access to. Breaking down the communities by the services they provide can help you come to a quick decision that provides the best long-term living arrangements.
Are you ready to make the transition to a senior living community where you can have access to more care? Get in touch with Arbor Terrace Peachtree City by calling us at 770-756-8107 or schedule a tour of our community online!
