Nursing homes, also known as skilled nursing facilities, are for people who need more advanced health care or require round-the-clock assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs). This level of care is provided in a residential facility, rather than at home. For seniors who wish to remain independent but need some assistance, alternatives such as assisted living, residential care homes, adult daycare, independent living, or home care may be more appropriate. Depending on the level of care your loved one needs, their financial situation, and whether they’re willing to move, there are a variety of senior living options.
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Typically, an assisted living community functions similarly to an apartment community, with the bonus of on-site assistance and care. They usually also provide social activities, such as clubs or game nights.
Like assisted living communities, residential care homes offer an independent lifestyle with the benefit of access to care on-site. Residential care homes tend to be smaller and more personal than an assisted living community.
Adult foster homes also provide care to adults in a homelike setting. It’s important to note that this term has different meanings in different states and may often be used interchangeably with residential care homes.
In states that differentiate adult foster homes from residential care homes, adult foster homes typically have fewer than five adults at a time, meaning that more personalized one-on-one care can be provided. Adult foster homes can be a more individualized alternative to a nursing home, as they provide some similar benefits including 24/7 supervision.
Adult day care provides a place for seniors who need assistance to have a safe, comfortable, and engaging space during the day. It’s often a more economical choice than hiring home care services for extended hours during the day.
Senior apartments and independent living communities are designed for seniors who don’t need daily assistance but want an easier lifestyle with fewer home maintenance tasks. If this sounds like your loved one, home care is one way to provide that assistance without requiring your loved one to move.
Home care takes place at your loved one’s residence and services range from help with ADLs to skilled nursing care services. This can be a good option for a senior who has some daily care needs and wants to remain in their own home, whether that’s their house, apartment, or an independent living community.
It can also be a temporary option, such as transitional home care when recovering from a surgery or returning home from a hospital stay.
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Your loved one’s desire for independence, level of care needs, their health concerns, their doctor’s advice, and financial considerations are important factors in determining which alternative to a nursing home will be the most appropriate. In this chart, we break down some of the financial and choice factors to help you and your parent plan for their care.
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After you talk with your loved one about what they want and need, consider talking with a financial advisor about covering long-term care costs. A Place for Mom’s Senior Living Advisors can also help. They’ll walk through next steps, recommend care near your parent, and answer questions you have along the way — all at no cost to your family.
At a little more than $10, 000 per month for a private room, nursing homes are the most expensive type of senior living due to their 24/7 skilled nursing care. A less intensive level of care is provided to residents of an assisted living community, where costs are typically around $5, 190 per month.
While nursing homes aren’t permitted to discriminate, they can refuse entry to someone who needs more care than they can provide or someone whose presence endangers others’ health and safety.
Genworth Financial. (2024). Cost of Care Survey.
A Place for Mom. (2025). Cost of long-term care and senior living.
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