Assisted Living vs. Skilled Nursing: Which Is Right for Your Loved One?
Key Takeaways
- Assisted living helps mostly independent seniors with some daily support.
- Skilled nursing provides 24/7 medical care for those with serious health needs.
- The right choice depends on your loved one’s health needs, not just preferences.
- Medicare may cover skilled nursing services temporarily, but it rarely covers assisted living facilities.
As much as you try to help your loved one age in place, sometimes it’s a better option to move them into a dedicated community. Since this is often a decision made by a caregiver, it’s important to understand the differences between all your options.
Understanding Senior Care: A Crucial Decision
Choosing the right care for an aging loved one is one of the biggest decisions families face. There are typically two common options: assisted living and skilled nursing.
This decision affects not only your loved one’s health but also their happiness, sense of independence, and overall quality of life. Since costs vary widely between the options, it also impacts family finances.
Let’s explore the difference between skilled nursing and assisted living to help you understand which might be right for your situation.
What Is Assisted Living?
Assisted living facilities, or ALFs, offer a balance of independence and support to ensure residents’ safety and well-being. Residents have their own rooms but receive help with tasks like getting dressed, taking medications, bathing, personal care, housekeeping, and laundry.
They also eat meals in a shared dining room and are provided with transportation to appointments and outings. Social activities, exercise classes, and events are offered to help residents feel less lonely and disconnected. If help is needed, staff members are available 24 hours a day, but they don’t provide continuous monitoring or complex medical care.
What Is Skilled Nursing?
Skilled nursing facilities are also sometimes referred to as SNFs or nursing homes. The residents here often need 24-hour supervision and medical attention.
Senior skilled care in these settings includes:
- Physical, occupational, and speech therapy
- Management of complex medical conditions
- Wound care
- IV medications, feeding tubes, or other medical equipment
- Memory care for advanced dementia
In skilled nursing, residents typically share rooms in an environment that feels more medical than homelike. Licensed nurses are always on duty, and care is supervised by physicians who visit regularly.
Key Differences Between Skilled Nursing and Assisted Living
To help you decide between SNF vs. ALF, here’s a look at a few of the key differences:
Skilled nursing:
- Level of care: 24/7 senior skilled care and rehabilitation services
- Environment: Hospital-like with private and semi-private rooms
- Average monthly cost: $13,000-17,000
- Payment options: Medicare (short-term only), Medicaid for eligible seniors, private pay
Assisted living:
- Level of care: Help with daily tasks and medication reminders
- Environment: Homelike with private apartments and restaurant-style dining
- Average monthly cost: $3,000 to $13,000
- Payment options: Mostly private pay, some long-term care insurance
SNF vs ALF: Comparing Environments, Staff, and Care Plans
While those are the biggest differences between skilled nursing and assisted living, there are other things to consider, such as:
- Physical environment: Assisted living communities often look like apartment complexes. Residents can bring their own personal items, including furniture. On the other hand, skilled nursing facilities are designed with the efficiency of care in mind, featuring nursing stations and wider hallways to accommodate wheelchairs and medical equipment.
- Staff: At an assisted living center, you’ll typically find caregivers, an activity director, and a nurse or two. A skilled nursing facility will have a number of medical professionals, including nurses and therapy staff.
- Care planning: In assisted living, care plans focus on maintaining independence while providing necessary support. Skilled nursing facilities develop detailed plans that include specific medical treatments and rehabilitation goals.
Who Is Best Suited for Each Option?
This decision is extremely personal and depends on your loved one’s specific needs. Assisted living is best for seniors who need help with some daily activities but are otherwise independent. They can get around with minimal assistance and communicate their needs without requiring constant medical monitoring.
Skilled nursing is best for seniors who need rehabilitation after surgery or illness or have complex medical needs. These seniors are often bedridden or have minimal mobility.
How to Decide What’s Best for Your Loved One
When deciding between assisted living vs skilled nursing, you should start by getting a professional opinion from a doctor or geriatric care manager. You should also visit both types of facilities to get a first-hand look at what they offer. After the tours, discuss your options with family members, including your loved one, whenever possible.
Alternatives and Transitional Options
If you aren’t completely sold on either option, there are some alternatives to consider. For example, some facilities offer both types of care in the same place. This allows residents to transition between care levels as their health needs change.
Depending on your loved one’s needs, you might also be able to work with a home healthcare or senior nursing care agency. This approach works well in some situations but becomes challenging with complex medical needs.
Communication Considerations for Seniors with Hearing Loss
Both types of facilities should accommodate seniors with hearing challenges, but the approach may differ. Since assisted living facilities are designed for semi-independent seniors, they typically offer visual alerts, such as doorbells or alarms, or special tools like caption phones from ClearCaptions.
Skilled nursing facilities are more likely to have medical professionals trained in working with individuals who have hearing loss or other sensory impairments. When touring facilities, don’t be afraid to ask about accommodations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the main difference between skilled nursing and assisted living?
The primary difference lies in the level of medical care. Skilled nursing provides 24/7 medical care, delivered by licensed nurses, for individuals with complex health needs. Assisted living offers help with daily activities but not intensive medical support.
Is skilled nursing more expensive than assisted living?
Yes, because of the higher level of care, skilled nursing typically costs about twice as much as assisted living.
Does Medicare pay for assisted living or skilled nursing?
Medicare does not pay for assisted living. It will cover skilled nursing, but only for up to 100 days under certain circumstances.
Can seniors transition from assisted living to skilled nursing if their health declines?
Yes, many seniors start in assisted living and move to skilled nursing when their needs increase. Some communities offer both levels of care.
