Assisted Living vs Nursing Home Care

Assisted living provides help with daily tasks in a home-like setting. Nursing homes offer 24/7 medical care for people with more serious health needs.

These long-term care settings serve different needs — but both can be dangerous when facilities fail.

Many people assume nursing home abuse only happens in specific types of facilities, but that’s not true. Assisted living residents, including younger adults with disabilities, can also face harm.

When staff are untrained, overworked, or inattentive, serious injuries and even death can happen.

Residents may suffer from neglect, medication errors, emotional abuse, or even physical assault. Since many families don’t expect neglect or abuse in assisted living, warning signs are often missed.

If your loved one was harmed in a long-term care facility, you may have legal options. For many families, holding a negligent facility accountable is the only path to healing and closure.

Get a free case review right now to find out if we can help you get started.

Assisted Living Facilities vs. Nursing Homes

Assisted living is intended for individuals who need help with daily activities but do not require ongoing medical care. Residents usually live in private apartments or rooms and have access to shared dining, recreational spaces, and social activities that support an independent lifestyle.

Staff members provide assistance with personal care tasks, including:

Bathing
Dressing
Meal preparation
Medication reminders

While some health-related services may be offered, assisted living facilities are not licensed to provide skilled nursing care on a 24-hour basis.

Medical oversight is more limited, and residents typically arrange for outside providers when they need more advanced care.

Nursing Homes & Skilled Nursing Facilities

Nursing homes, also known as skilled nursing facilities, provide a higher level of care for individuals who need 24/7 medical supervision and assistance with most or all daily activities.

These facilities are equipped to care for residents with:

Chronic illnesses, such as heart disease or diabetes
Complex medical conditions that require ongoing monitoring
Dementia and other cognitive impairments
Post-surgical or injury-related needs, including rehabilitation

Licensed nurses are on staff, and residents may receive rehabilitative services like physical, occupational, or speech therapy. Care plans are typically overseen by a physician.

Unlike assisted living, nursing homes often have a more clinical environment. Rooms may be shared, and the focus is primarily on medical care rather than social programming. This makes adequate staffing and oversight critical to resident safety.

This chart shows the key differences between nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

	Assisted Living Facilities	Nursing Homes
Level of Care	Help with daily activities	24/7 medical and personal care
Medical Staff On-Site	Limited; no skilled nursing	Licensed nurses and therapists on staff
Living Space	Private apartments or rooms	Often shared rooms; more clinical environment
Independence	Residents maintain more independence	Residents need full-time support
Social Activities	Emphasis on social and recreational programs	Limited due to health needs
Typical Residents	Older adults or younger people with disabilities needing assistance	Individuals with serious health conditions or recovering from surgery
Cost and Insurance	Typically private pay; limited Medicaid in some states	Medicaid may cover care; Medicare for short-term rehab stays
Abuse Risk	Lower; abuse and neglect still possible	Higher; frailty and complex medical needs

What Is Assisted Living Abuse?

Abuse in assisted living facilities can take many forms, including neglect of residents’ needs. These facilities are meant to support people who need help with daily activities, but not full-time medical care.

5 types of abuse in assisted living facilities include:

Physical abuse: Harmful actions like hitting, slapping, or using unnecessary physical restraints
Neglect: Failing to provide essential care, leading to preventable conditions like bedsores or infections
Sexual assault: Any unwanted or forced sexual activity imposed on a resident by staff members or other residents
Financial exploitation: Illegally or improperly using a resident’s financial resources for personal gain
Emotional abuse: Verbal threats, intimidation, or belittling residents, causing distress and mental anguish

Residents often include older adults, as well as younger individuals with disabilities or chronic health conditions. When staff members fail to provide proper supervision or care, residents can suffer serious injuries, emotional distress, or worsening health.

If your loved one is dealing with abuse or neglect in any long-term care setting, don’t wait to take action.

We work with an extensive network of nursing home and assisted living abuse attorneys who can help families in all 50 states.

Call us right now at (855) 264-6310 or Click to Live Chat to find out if we can connect you with an assisted living facility abuse attorney near you.

Assisted Living Abuse vs. Nursing Home Abuse

Abuse is generally more common in nursing homes than in assisted living facilities. Nursing home residents require higher levels of care, including medical assistance, which increases their vulnerability to neglect and mistreatment.

Nursing homes also have more staff handling residents with severe physical or cognitive impairments, making it easier for abuse or neglect to occur, especially in understaffed or poorly managed facilities.

How to Report Abuse in an Assisted Living Facility

If you suspect abuse or neglect in an assisted living facility, it’s important to act quickly. Start by documenting what you’ve seen — include dates, names, photos (if possible), and a detailed description of the issue. Then, report your concerns to the appropriate agencies.

In most states, you can file a report through:

Adult Protective Services (APS): Investigates reports of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of vulnerable adults
Local law enforcement: If a resident is in immediate danger or has been physically or sexually assaulted, call 911 right away
Long-term care ombudsman: A government-funded advocate who investigates complaints and works to resolve issues on behalf of residents
State licensing agency: Assisted living facilities are licensed at the state level. You can file a complaint with your state’s Department of Health or Aging Services

You can also contact an attorney if your loved one was seriously harmed. A qualified assisted living abuse lawyer may be able to help your family pursue justice and compensation.

Connect With an Assisted Living Abuse Law Firm

Assisted living residents may not require full-time medical care, but that doesn’t make them safe from harm.

Abuse and neglect can still happen — especially when facilities are understaffed, poorly managed, or fail to respond to residents’ needs. When mistreatment occurs, families have the right to act.

If your loved one suffered harm in an assisted living facility or nursing home, we may be able to help.

Our trusted legal partners work with families to:

Gather evidence of abuse or neglect
Investigate whether the facility has a history of violations
Pursue financial compensation through lawsuits
Hold facilities accountable for failing to protect residents

Filing a complaint is an important first step, but it may not be enough to fully protect your loved one or others in the same facility. A skilled assisted living abuse lawyer can help your family take legal action.

Call the Nursing Home Abuse Center right now at (855) 264-6310, or get a free case review. Our trusted legal partners may be able to fight for the compensation and justice your family deserves.