It’s common to see people use the terms “assisted living” and “nursing home” interchangeably. However, these two things are actually quite different.
An assisted living facility is for someone that only needs a limited amount of care. They may be able to get some assistance from the facility, but they will also be able to take care of themselves.
Nursing homes are for people that need extensive medical care. If your loved one has serious health issues, an assisted living facility might not be the right option. Instead, a nursing home might wind up being your best bet.