Is a nursing home or assisted living best for someone who sometimes needs more care or as more care is required while at AL?

Even if they are accepted into assisted living they will be asked to leave if the level of care exceeds what they are able to do.

I know two women who had their husbands in assisted living. It was a wonderful facility and they did all that they could for each of them. The level of care they needed became higher than they were able to accommodate. Each husband is now in a nursing home.

It’s hard because the wives wanted their husband to be with them. Things don’t always work out as planned.

You can start in assisted living and if a time comes that you have to move they will tell you that they are unable to serve your needs. Or you can start off in a nursing home if you wish to avoid a move if that is going to be inevitable. Just food for thought. I wish you and your family well.

My dad was at AL and over the years his needs increased to a point that, not only would he not be able to afford, but the AL was not equipped to manage his level of care. at that point he would have qualified for a nursing home (private pay), but I opted to move him into a board and care facility (aka residential care facility) which is small 6 bed home, but licensed just as a big AL. The ratio was better, and they could provide him the closer supervision and help that he needed. The cost of the one I found was only slightly higher than the AL with full services.

If you can afford to pay for the level of care she requires as it increases then you can put her in the AL. A nursing home will not take someone that doesn't need that level of care yet. It is based on current need not future expectations.