Personal Care vs. Assisted Living: What You Need To Know

Georgia seniors who are looking for tailored daily support have two options: assisted living and personal care. The definitions of these types of senior care vary from state to state, and Georgia has its own definitions.

While the two services are a lot alike, there are a few differences that older adults and their loved ones may want to keep in mind as they search for a community. Let’s take a look at the differences between living in a personal care home vs. assisted living.

senior lady with caregiver

Defining Personal Care in Georgia vs. Assisted Living

The state of Georgia defines a personal care home as “a residence offering protective care and oversight of a person who needs a watchful environment but does not have an illness, injury or disability requiring chronic or convalescent care, such as medical or nursing services.”

The state defines assisted living communities as “personal care homes which choose to serve 25 residents or more and which provide assisted living care which consists of the provision of personal services, the administration of medications by a certified medication aide and the provision of assisted self-preservation.”

Personal Care vs. Assisted Living: How Are They Similar?

Personal care and assisted living are both residential long-term care options. Senior living communities with either service provide residence options designed with senior safety in mind.

Assisted living and personal care are both appropriate for seniors who require help with one or more activities of daily living (ADLs), including mobility, dressing, bathing, grooming, eating, and toileting. Trained caregivers are on-site 24 hours a day if residents need them.

Both types of services provide assistance when a senior needs daily support but still wants to live as independently as possible. The types of activities, amenities, and additional services will vary among communities. When they choose a community like Brandon Wilde, seniors find delicious dining, social opportunities, entertainment, clubs, and group outings.

Personal Care vs. Assisted Living: How Are They Different?

While personal care services in Georgia can help with activities of daily living and medication management, the state prohibits team members from helping in certain instances, such as extensive transfer and catheter care. If residents and families choose, they have the option to hire third-party caregivers to handle added services.

Health visitor and a senior woman during home visit. A nurse talking to an elderly woman.

Brandon Wilde Can Accommodate Your Evolving Health Needs

A Life Plan Community like Brandon Wilde provides residents the support they need now, along with access to higher levels of senior care if they need it in the future. With a full continuum of care on one campus, a resident in personal care can easily transfer to different types of care.

If your loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or another type of dementia, person-centered memory care is right on- site. If they require around-the-clock care for chronic conditions, an expert team of professionals is available 24/7 in skilled nursing.

As a resident of a Life Plan Community, your loved one can recover from an illness, injury, or hospital stay with smart therapies in short-term senior rehabilitation.

If you’d like to find out more about personal care in Evans, Georgia, and learn more about the support services and enriching lifestyle our residents enjoy, reach out to us at Brandon Wilde today at 706-530-5230.