In simple terms, yes there is a difference between assisted living facilities and retirement homes. It can be difficult for someone to determine the difference between a nursing or retirement home for their loved ones. According to seniorsguide.com, “two of the most important differences are the independence levels of the residents and the type of care available for seniors at each type of facility.”.

People that choose to live at an assisted living facility require a higher level of care than people living in a retirement community. Residents at GenCare Lifestyle assisted living in Federal Way, WA need daily assistance with one or more activities of day-to-day tasks. For example, these people may need help with tasks like managing medications, personal hygiene, driving or arranging transportation, and/or managing household chores. GenCare Lifestyle assisted living in Federal Way, WA will provide everything that person needs to thrive. This can mean being served three meals a day, and the facility is staffed 24/7 with professional caregivers/ nursing employees.

On the other hand, retirement home residents won’t require as much care as assisted living residents. Retirement homes are also referred to as retirement communities or independent living communities. This is because the seniors who live there don’t require a level of care that needs professional help. Those who live in a retirement home care for themselves, want a low-maintenance lifestyle, and want the convenience of a close knit community. Retirement homes have on-site dining, entertainment, and a community of people in the same age range.

However, GenCare Lifestyle is a facility that offers assisted living in Federal Way, WA but also offers active retirement living. Some facilities like this one can provide more than just one level of care. Some retirement homes may even feature several different types of senior housing. Different types of senior housing that can be seen in retirement homes are: assisted living residences, skilled nursing facilities, and maybe even specialized memory or dementia care.

So, if you or a loved one is looking into moving to a more comfortable community then the level of care must first be considered. If the level of care needed is high, then an assisted living facility might be the best option. While, if the level of care is low and the person can be more independent than a retirement home is probably the best option.