When families begin to explore residential living options at senior communities, the terms “assisted living” and “personal care” are often used interchangeably. This can be confusing — what is assisted living? How is it different from personal care?
In a nutshell, while both offer help with daily tasks, they differ in scope and the level of care provided. Additionally, in 2011, Pennsylvania began to distinguish between assisted living residences and personal care homes, licensing them separately.
Both assisted living and personal care differ from independent living because they offer personalized support for daily activities like dressing, bathing and medication management. But, in senior living communities like Country Meadows Retirement Communities, residents can still enjoy all the social events and activities as much as they like and are able. Just because loved ones need more help doesn’t mean they can’t be engaged with the community.
What is Assisted Living and how does it differ from Personal Care?
Definitions of, services offered and regulations that apply to assisted living and personal care vary from state to state.
Essentially, assisted living and personal care differ in the specific level of care. Personal care is less focused on serious medical needs but helps with basic activities of daily living like bathing, skin and nail care and shaving. Meals are included, because it’s a residential program, as is some assistance with medication management.
A residential assisted living program does all that as well, but also provides some skilled health care services to supplement the personal care. This allows residents to “age in place” longer and helps avoid needing care in a skilled nursing facility.
What is Assisted Living verses Personal Care in Pennsylvania?
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Office of Long-Term Living distinguishes between assisted living residences and personal care homes and programs in three ways:
Concept — Assisted living residences permit residents to age in place, meaning that even as their health care needs increase, they will not have to relocate to another senior living community to receive that care.
Construction — Assisted living residences must provide residents a private room with a lockable door, a private bathroom and small kitchen. Personal care homes are not required to offer these amenities.
Level of Care — Assisted living residences must ensure that residents receive skilled nursing care if their needs surpass standard assisted living services, like dressing and addressing mobility issues.
Country Meadows Retirement Communities offer both personal care and assisted living services, depending on location. Country Meadows delivers personal care at nine of its Pennsylvania campuses but provides assisted living services at Forks in Easton, as well as its Frederick, Maryland retirement home.
What services are included in both Assisted Living and Personal Care?
Country Meadows senior communities that offer assisted living and/or personal care have, first and foremost, professionally trained staff who will always respect your loved ones’ privacy and treat them with dignity. Our caring, trained, staff is on duty 24-hours every day and includes a scheduled nurse on site at all times.
In addition, residents in assisted living and personal care enjoy:
- Delicious professionally prepared meals served three times a day, with snacks and beverages throughout the day
- Active Dynamic Living programs that focus on total well-being including physical, social and spiritual activities
- Apartment-style living featuring weekly housekeeping and linen services
- A rental fee that covers all utilities including heat, air conditioning, cable television and wireless internet access
- Scheduled transportation for appointments, errands, shopping and church
- A pet-friendly campus where your animals are welcome
If you are concerned about your loved one and wondering, “what is assisted living?” and if it’s time to explore that option, we are happy to answer any questions you have. We also have resources available on our website.
Country Meadows Retirement Communities offers memory care, plus independent living, assisted living/personal care and restorative care in Pennsylvania and Frederick, Md. We have a vibrant community and a wide range of amenities including professionally prepared meals, scheduled transportation and support with daily activities and personal care as needed.
