When it’s time to find care for your loved one, the choices can feel overwhelming. Two terms you’ll hear often are assisted living and nursing home—but what’s the actual difference? And more importantly, which one does your family member really need?
This guide breaks down the key differences between assisted living and nursing homes in Minnesota, including costs, care levels, and how to choose the right option for your situation.
What is Assisted Living?
Assisted living is designed for seniors who are mostly independent but need help with daily activities. Think of it as apartment-style living with personalized care.
Who Assisted Living is For
This option works best for seniors who:
- Can move around on their own (or with minimal help)
- Need assistance with bathing, dressing, or medications
- Want to maintain independence and privacy
- Enjoy social activities and community life
- Don’t require 24/7 medical monitoring
- Those needing personalized care
- Patients wanting to live in the community
- Complex Care need patients
- Hoyer lifts, assist of 2 staff, wheelchair patient and more
- With recent improvement in Assisted Living Care, many assisted living facilities are now able to meet most nursing home level patients.
Services Included in Minnesota Assisted Living
At facilities like 1 on 1 Comprehensive Healthcare Solution, assisted living includes:
- Private Room
- Help with daily activities (bathing, grooming, dressing)
- Medication management
- Minimum three meals a day
- Housekeeping and laundry
- Social activities and events
- Emergency call systems
- Complex Care Management
- Hoyer Lifts
- Complex Wound Care
- Dialysis Support
- Wheelchair bound patient support
- G-tube support
- Ventilator Support
Cost in Minnesota: $5,559 to $8,635 per month depending on location and care level. This can be more if your care needs are complex. Call 1 on 1 Comprehensive Healthcare Solution at 763-299-0025 to learn about cost and payment options
What is a Nursing Home?
Nursing homes provide skilled nursing care for seniors with serious medical conditions or those who need constant supervision. The environment is more clinical, focused on healthcare rather than independent living. These facilities are usually busy and medical intense.
Who Nursing Homes are For
These options are appropriate for seniors who:
- Need 24/7 medical care or monitoring that are not appropriate for assisted living facilities.
- Require help with most or all daily activities, the care is very complex.
- Have complex health conditions (advanced dementia)
- Need aggressive physical therapy or rehabilitation after surgery or hospitalization
- Can’t safely live anywhere else
Services in Minnesota Nursing Homes
- Semi-private or private rooms (hospital-style)
- Licensed nurses on staff 24/7
- Doctor visits and medical treatments
- Medication administration
- Physical, occupational, and speech therapy
- Feeding assistance
- Wound care and medical procedures
Cost in Minnesota: $10,281 per month (semi-private room) to $12,805 per month (private room).
Key Differences: Side-by-Side Comparison
Assisted Living vs. Nursing Home: The Main Differences
Living Environment
Assisted Living: Apartment-style with kitchenette, private bathroom, and personal space. Feels like home.
Nursing Home: Hospital-style rooms (often shared) with clinical atmosphere. Limited personal space.
Level of Care
Assisted Living: Help with daily tasks, medication reminders, supervision. Staff available 24/7 but not in your room constantly.
Nursing Home: Constant medical supervision, skilled nursing care, complex medical treatments. Nurses check on you regularly throughout the day and night.
Independence
Assisted Living: High level of independence. Come and go as you please, decorate your space, maintain your routine.
Nursing Home: Limited independence due to medical needs and safety concerns. More structured schedules.
Cost in Minnesota
Assisted Living: $5,559–$8,635/month
Nursing Home: $10,281–$12,805/month (nearly double the cost)
Staff Qualifications
Assisted Living: Trained caregivers, some licensed nurses on staff
Nursing Home: Licensed nurses (RNs and LPNs), certified nursing assistants, doctors
How to Decide What Your Loved One Needs
Choosing Between Assisted Living and Nursing Home Care
H2: Choosing Between Assisted Living and Nursing Home Care
Ask yourself these questions:
1. Can your loved one walk or move around safely?
- Yes, with some help → Assisted Living
- No, needs significant physical assistance → Traditionally nursing home, now Complex care assisted living is a better option
2. What medical care do they need?
- Medication reminders, blood pressure checks → Assisted Living
- IV treatments, feeding tubes, constant monitoring → Traditionally nursing Home, but now complex care assisted living homes can meet this need
3. How independent are they with daily tasks?
- Needs reminders and some help → Assisted Living
- Needs total assistance with bathing, dressing, eating → Assisted Living with complex care.
4. Do they have advanced dementia or Alzheimer’s?
- Early to moderate stages → Memory Care Assisted Living
- Advanced stages with wandering or aggressive behavior → May need Nursing Home or locked unit
5. What’s their social and emotional state?
- Wants community, activities, friendships → Assisted Living
- Primarily needs medical care → traditionally Nursing Home, but now complex care assisted living homes can help.
Let Us Help You Decide
Get Personalized Guidance from Our Minnesota Team
Still not sure whether your loved one needs assisted living or a nursing home? 1on1 Comprehensive Healthcare serves families throughout Bloomington, Maple Grove, St. Michael, Brooklyn Park, Spring Lake Park, and St. Cloud.
We offer:
- Free consultations to assess your loved one’s needs
- Tours of our assisted living homes
- Honest recommendations (even if that means suggesting another level of care)
- Help navigating Minnesota waiver programs
Call us today: 763-299-0025
Email: Admin@1on1comprehensivehealthcare.com
Most families find their loved ones thrive in assisted living—let us show you why. Visit our website and complete our assessment to find your perfect customized assisted living home.
Gallery of some of our homes
1 on 1 Comprehensive Healthcare Solution Have the Perfect Assisted living home for you and your loved one.
About 1 on 1 Comprehensive Healthcare Solution
1 on 1 Comprehensive Healthcare Solution is a trusted Minnesota provider of personalized senior and disability care services. With locations in Bloomington, Maple Grove, St. Michael, Brooklyn Park, Spring Lake Park, and St. Cloud, we’ve been serving families throughout Hennepin, Anoka and Wright Counties with compassion and professionalism. We specialize in assisted living, 245-D waiver services, group homes, respite care, and home care—offering a complete range of support options under one roof. What sets us apart is our ability to provide nursing home-level care to most patients in a warm, home-like assisted living setting. Our experienced staff can manage complex medical needs, and intensive personal support, allowing many residents to avoid institutional nursing homes while receiving the skilled care they need. At 1on1 Comprehensive Healthcare solution, we treat every resident like family, focusing on dignity, independence, and quality of life every single day. All our homes are licensed by Minnesota Department of Health.
Call us now at 763-299-0025 for immediate evaluation.