Choosing the Right Assisted Living: Traditional vs. Residential—Finding the Best Fit for Your Loved One
So many have asked me what is the big difference between a typical Assisted Living and a Residential Assisted Living, and there are a few key differences. I thought it might be fun to do a short series, here we go.
Selecting the right care environment for your loved one is a personal journey. Two popular choices—traditional assisted living and residential assisted living—offer unique advantages, and understanding the differences can help you make the best choice. While both aim to support seniors in their daily lives, they differ in their approach, environment, and the level of personalized care offered.
Here’s a look at how each option serves residents and what to consider as you decide.
- Setting and Environment
- Traditional Assisted Living: Typically larger, these facilities resemble apartment complexes with a range of amenities and shared spaces. While they provide community, the scale may feel a bit impersonal.
- Residential Assisted Living: These homes, like The Geneva Suites, have fewer residents, often six or less, creating a warm, home-like feel in a neighborhood setting. For seniors who want a family-like atmosphere, residential assisted living offers comfort and familiarity.
- Personalized Attention
- Traditional Assisted Living: Due to their larger size, traditional facilities often have a higher staff-to-resident ratio, meaning caregivers may be responsible for a larger number of residents. While staff are dedicated to providing good care, the number of residents can limit their ability to deliver highly individualized attention.
- Residential Assisted Living: Residential homes typically have a much lower staff-to-resident ratio. For example, at The Geneva Suites, the care model ensures close attention to each resident’s needs with one caregiver per three residents during the day. This ratio allows staff to spend more time with each resident, providing a level of personalized care and attention that’s difficult to achieve in larger settings.