When it comes to long term care the usual preference is for large group facilities that have a diverse offering of services but often lack much in the way of personal touch. However, competition has emerged where a facility will cater to a small number of residents, often no more than a dozen, and offers greater personal contact with the residence by the staff and between the residents themselves. This method of care has drawn much praise from the families of residents but has shown mixed results when it comes to the health of residents. While residents do report greater interaction with each other, declines in cognitive and physical condition follow the same path and timetable as those in large facilities. In the event a choice must be made between a large and small long term care facility, it is imperative to look at the needs of the soon to be resident. Financial limitations must be taken into account as smaller communities tend to be more expensive compared to large ones that are designed to operate within Medicaid allowances. In addition, the anticipated health needs of the resident will not always be capable of being met unless the small facility offers a full spectrum of services right up to full nurse care. Ultimately, small and large facilities both have pros and cons so do not get caught up in judging them against each other, rather, look for the facility, regardless of size, that best suits the needs and desires of the person who is going to live there.
See Amy Fontinelle, Pros & Cons of Smaller Long-Term Care Facilities, Investopedia.
