When searching for senior care options in Tarzana or Thousand Oaks, families often encounter confusing terminology. Assisted living, nursing homes, board and care facilities—what’s the difference, and which option is right for your loved one? Understanding the difference between assisted living and nursing home care is crucial for making an informed decision about your family’s needs.
This guide breaks down the key differences between assisted living and nursing homes, helping Tarzana and Thousand Oaks families navigate their options with confidence. We’ll also explore why board and care facilities like Royal Garden Home & Care offer a compelling alternative that combines the best aspects of both care models.
What is Assisted Living?
Assisted living facilities provide housing and support services for seniors who need help with daily activities but don’t require intensive medical care. These communities offer a balance between independence and assistance, allowing residents to maintain their autonomy while receiving help when needed.
In assisted living, residents typically live in private or semi-private apartments within a larger community setting. Staff members are available to assist with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, dressing, medication management, and meal preparation. Most assisted living communities also offer social activities, housekeeping services, and transportation.
When searching for assisted living in Tarzana, families often appreciate that these facilities promote independence while providing a safety net. Residents can come and go as they please, decorate their own spaces, and participate in community life at their own pace. The environment emphasizes dignity and personal choice, making it ideal for seniors who are generally healthy but need some daily support.
Assisted living facilities in Thousand Oaks and throughout the San Fernando Valley vary widely in size, amenities, and cost. Some house hundreds of residents in campus-style settings, while others offer more intimate environments. The level of medical care is generally limited—staff can administer medications and monitor health conditions, but they’re not equipped to provide the intensive nursing care that some seniors require.
What is a Nursing Home?
Nursing homes, also called skilled nursing facilities, provide round-the-clock medical care and supervision for seniors with significant health needs. Unlike assisted living, nursing homes are medical facilities staffed by licensed nurses and healthcare professionals who can provide complex care services.
Residents in nursing homes typically require help with most or all daily activities and have medical conditions that demand constant monitoring. These facilities can manage feeding tubes, administer intravenous medications, provide wound care, and handle rehabilitation following surgery or serious illness. The environment is more clinical than residential, with a primary focus on medical needs rather than lifestyle preferences.
The difference in care intensity is substantial. While assisted living offers help and supervision, nursing homes provide actual medical treatment. This includes physical therapy, occupational therapy, and 24-hour nursing care from licensed professionals. For seniors recovering from strokes, managing advanced dementia, or dealing with complex medical conditions, nursing homes offer the level of care that other settings cannot provide.
However, this medical focus comes with trade-offs. Nursing homes typically feel more institutional than homelike. Residents have less independence and privacy, and the structured medical environment may not suit seniors who are still relatively active and independent. The cost is also significantly higher than assisted living, often ranging from $8,000 to $12,000 per month or more.
Key Differences Between Assisted Living and Nursing Homes
Level of Care
The most significant difference lies in the intensity of care provided. Assisted living offers personal care assistance and medication management but limited medical services. Nursing homes provide skilled nursing care, complex medical treatments, and rehabilitation services. If your loved one needs help bathing and remembering medications, assisted living may suffice. If they require wound care, IV medications, or constant medical monitoring, a nursing home is more appropriate.
Environment and Lifestyle
Assisted living facilities emphasize quality of life and independence. Residents often have their own apartments, can furnish their spaces personally, and enjoy a social community atmosphere. Nursing homes prioritize medical care and safety, resulting in a more clinical, hospital-like environment with less emphasis on personal autonomy and lifestyle choices.
Cost Considerations
Assisted living in Tarzana typically costs between $4,000 and $7,000 per month, depending on the level of care required and amenities offered. Nursing homes are considerably more expensive, often costing $8,000 to $12,000 monthly or higher. Neither option is typically covered by regular health insurance, though Medicaid may cover nursing home care for eligible individuals, and some long-term care insurance policies provide benefits for both settings.
Staffing and Regulations
Nursing homes must meet strict federal and state regulations and employ licensed nurses and medical professionals around the clock. Assisted living facilities have less stringent requirements and typically staff caregivers who are trained but not necessarily licensed medical professionals. The regulatory oversight for nursing homes is more intensive, given the complexity of care provided.
Appropriate Candidates
Assisted living works well for seniors who are relatively independent but need help with a few daily tasks. They should be mobile (even if using a walker or wheelchair) and not require constant medical supervision. Nursing homes are appropriate for seniors with serious medical conditions, those recovering from major surgery or illness, or individuals with advanced dementia who need 24-hour supervision and medical care.
Board and Care: The Best Alternative for Tarzana and Thousand Oaks Families
While understanding the difference between assisted living and nursing homes is important, many families in Tarzana and Thousand Oaks discover that board and care facilities offer a superior alternative that addresses the limitations of both models.
Board and care homes, also known as residential care facilities, provide personalized care in a home-like setting with a small number of residents. These facilities bridge the gap between assisted living and nursing homes, offering more intensive care than traditional assisted living but in a warmer, more intimate environment than institutional nursing homes.
The Royal Garden Difference
Royal Garden Home & Care has been serving families in the San Fernando Valley since 2000, operating small-scale facilities that house a maximum of six residents each. This small capacity is intentional—it allows for truly personalized care that’s impossible in larger assisted living communities or nursing homes.
When families search for assisted living in Thousand Oaks or Tarzana, they’re often looking for a place that feels like home while providing professional care. Royal Garden delivers exactly that. Each facility maintains a family atmosphere where staff know every resident intimately, understanding their preferences, routines, and unique needs. This isn’t the assembly-line care of large institutions—it’s individualized attention in a genuine home setting.
Specialized Memory Care Without the Institution
One of Royal Garden’s distinctive strengths is specialized memory care for dementia and Alzheimer’s patients, including those with aggressive behaviors. Many assisted living facilities in Tarzana cannot accommodate residents with challenging dementia symptoms, and nursing homes, while capable, place these individuals in clinical environments that can increase agitation and confusion.
Royal Garden’s small-scale model excels with memory care patients. The consistent caregiving team, familiar surroundings, and home-like atmosphere reduce confusion and anxiety. With only six residents per facility, staff can provide the close supervision that aggressive dementia patients require while maintaining dignity and quality of life. The family-owned approach means leadership is directly involved in care decisions, ensuring responsive and compassionate management of challenging situations.
Premium Care with Personal Attention
Royal Garden positions itself as a premium care provider, serving families who want exceptional quality without institutional compromise. The facilities in Tarzana (with two locations on Melvin Avenue), Valley Glen, Burbank, and Thousand Oaks offer luxury senior care in residential settings that feel nothing like typical care facilities.
Residents don’t share cramped rooms or navigate sprawling institutional hallways. They live in comfortable homes with professional care staff who provide assistance with all activities of daily living, medication management, and health monitoring. The care level rivals what nursing homes provide, but the setting and approach maintain the dignity, independence, and warmth that large facilities struggle to offer.
The Advantages of Small-Scale Care
Research consistently shows that small-scale, homelike care settings benefit seniors, particularly those with dementia. Smaller environments reduce overstimulation and confusion, leading to better outcomes and quality of life. Royal Garden’s six-resident model ensures that care is never rushed, meals accommodate individual preferences, and daily routines respect each person’s lifelong habits.
This scale also allows for genuine relationships between caregivers and residents. Staff aren’t juggling dozens of patients—they’re caring for a small household where they know if someone had a restless night, what foods they enjoy, and how to comfort them during difficult moments. This level of attention simply isn’t possible in facilities with 50, 100, or more residents.
Family-Owned Commitment
As a family-owned business, Royal Garden operates with different priorities than corporate chains. Decisions prioritize resident wellbeing over profit margins. Leadership—including owner Sophia, administrator Alex, and MA Psychology professional Rada—remains directly involved in operations, ensuring accountability and consistent quality across all locations.
For families in Tarzana and Thousand Oaks, this means working with a care provider who genuinely knows their loved one and responds personally to concerns. It means stability—Royal Garden has operated successfully for over two decades because they prioritize doing right by residents and families, not maximizing occupancy at all costs.
Making the Right Choice for Your Family
Understanding the difference between assisted living and nursing homes is the first step, but recognizing that alternatives exist opens up better possibilities. When evaluating senior care options in Tarzana or Thousand Oaks, consider what matters most: Is it the size and amenities of the facility, or the quality and personalization of care? Does your loved one thrive in bustling social environments, or do they prefer quieter, more intimate settings?
For families seeking assisted living in Tarzana who discover their loved one needs more support than typical assisted living provides—or who want to avoid the institutional feel of nursing homes—board and care facilities like Royal Garden offer the ideal solution. The model delivers professional, comprehensive care without sacrificing the warmth and dignity of a home environment.
Royal Garden’s locations throughout the San Fernando Valley provide convenient access for families in Tarzana, Thousand Oaks, and surrounding communities. With specialized expertise in memory care, including challenging dementia cases, and a commitment to small-scale, personalized care, Royal Garden represents a different—and often better—approach to senior care.
Schedule a Visit
The best way to understand the Royal Garden difference is to experience it yourself. Tour one of our Tarzana or Thousand Oaks facilities to see how board and care combines the best aspects of assisted living and nursing homes while avoiding the drawbacks of both. Meet our caring staff, see our home-like settings, and discuss how we can provide the personalized care your loved one deserves.
Contact Royal Garden Home & Care today to learn more about our approach to memory care and senior living in the San Fernando Valley. Whether you’re just beginning to explore options or ready to make a decision, we’re here to help your family navigate this important transition with confidence and peace of mind.