As you look for the best living alternatives for yourself or someone special, you may be confused about the distinctions between assisted living communities and skilled nursing facilities. The main difference between the two is the amount of care offered and who gives it.
These facilities are involved in both skilled nursing and assisted living offer various supporting care such as medical, personal, and social services to those unable to fulfill their own basic living needs for lengthy periods.
In essence, residents in assisted living homes receive support with activities of daily living (ADLs) while still conducting the majority of their tasks on their own. Residents in a skilled nursing facility get round-the-clock nursing care and require assistance with the majority, if not all, ADLs.
Assisted Living Communities
Assisted living communities are meant for seniors who can no longer live alone; nevertheless, assisted living residents do not require the greater degree of care that a skilled nursing facility provides.
Assisted living homes encourage residents to live as independently as possible while providing necessary support with activities of daily living (ADLs) that involve bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting assistance, and medication management.
Staff is accessible 24 hours a day, throughout the week, to assist customers.
Residents in assisted living communities live in apartment-style homes that might be private or semi-private. Each apartment usually contains a living room, a dining room, a small kitchen, and a separate bathroom.
Although tenants can prepare their meals and dining/entertainment in their flat, centralized dining rooms are usually accessible.
Large common spaces are the norm, providing residents with endless chances for socializing and fostering a sense of community. Residents are welcome to bring their furniture and possessions, resulting in a very home-like atmosphere.
Assisted living homes emphasize a healthy social atmosphere with a calendar full of life enrichment events; yet, residents have the opportunity to determine their schedule and pursue any interests and hobbies they wish.
Most assisted living homes also provide transportation to residents to be involved in the community and attend church events, beauty appointments, and other trips.
Licensed nursing services are planned in assisted living communities; nevertheless, registered nurses (RNs) or licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) are available and on-call, although they may or may not always be present. A nurse or a registered medical technician administers medications.
Although assisted living homes do not offer medically complex needs, they may collaborate with other healthcare providers like hospices and home health agencies to meet a resident’s condition.
For instance, if outpatient treatment is required three times per week, a home health agency or hospice agency can offer therapy (physical, occupational, or speech therapy) or end-of-life care in the community.
Skilled Nursing Communities
Individuals who require specialized medical care or daily therapy services in a skilled-care environment can live in skilled nursing communities. A stay in a professional nursing community can be compared to a long-term hospital stay, even if it is just temporary.
Short-term stays in skilled nursing facilities are common after hospitalization, surgery, accident, or other severe health declines, such as a heart attack or stroke.
Residents’ care is often centered on providing rehabilitation treatments to prepare them to return to their formerly independent lifestyle during these temporary stays. Approximately 25% of people in skilled nursing care will be there for less than three months.
Others, on the other hand, make a skilled nursing community their long-term and permanent home. These individuals receive much-needed ADL support as well as 24-hour sophisticated medical care and monitoring.
Professionally licensed workers offer this medically demanding treatment. Residents frequently have complicated medical illnesses that need high-level care, necessitating routine skilled nursing services, such as:
- Wound treatment
- Respiratory treatment or ventilator care
- Medication administered by IV
- Tubes for feeding
- Pressure ulcers in the advanced stage (bed sores)
- Physiotherapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy
- Services in the pharmaceutical, radiological, and laboratory fields
- Hospice or end-of-life care
Residents usually share a semi-private room and eat their meals in a communal eating area unless they are too unwell or unable to do so. A calendar of daily programmed activities is expected in skilled care settings.
For people who can’t attend group activities, diversions and pursuits are provided to their rooms.
Licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) are on duty 24 hours a day in certified skilled nursing communities. A registered nurse (RN) works at least eight hours every day, all week long.
On average, there are 40 nursing assistants, seven registered nurses, and thirteen licensed vocational nurses on staff for every 100 resident beds.
Because a skilled nursing community offers medically necessary care under the supervision of a certified physician, the cost of treatment is taken up by Medicare, Medicaid, and the majority of long-term care insurance policies.
Differences Between Assisted Living Homes and Skilled Nursing
1. Level of Need
While both skilled nursing and assisted living help people live extraordinary lives, the required type and quality of care is a significant differentiation.
In reality, the type and quality of care needed will frequently determine whether skilled nursing or assisted living homes is the best option.
For example, if someone requires daily treatment, IV medicine, or mechanical breathing (for example, a ventilator), experienced nursing is better suited to address the demand.
For those who desire or require assistance with minor activities, assisted living may be the solution. The following are five of the most often reported needs by persons who choose assisted living homes:
- Everyday life (bathing, dressing, eating)
- Mental well-being (depression or isolation)
- Medication administration
- Support
- Management of finances (remembering to pay bills)
2. Setting Type
In short, skilled nursing is classified as a medical facility, whereas assisted living is classified as a residential facility.
Assisted living communities can take the form of anything from a stand-alone cottage to a high-rise apartment building. Skilled nursing usually takes place in a traditional nursing home or rehabilitation center.
Although this has evolved, assisted living homes have long been criticized for being more “institutional” than skilled nursing facilities.
Skilled nursing, contrarily, has achieved significant progress by making its settings more resident-centric and less institutional.
Skilled nursing homes are becoming less like hospitals and more like homes. Do not be put off from seeking skilled nursing because of a previous experience with a nursing home or rehabilitation facility.
3. Staff Availability
Skilled nursing facilities must have a registered nurse on-site for at least 8 hours every day throughout the week, with a few exceptions.
Licensed vocational nurses and registered nurses must be available and on-call in assisted living communities, although they are not needed to be on-site by law. If you or a loved one requires frequent medical attention, professional nursing may be the best (or perhaps the only) alternative.
Before deciding between skilled nursing and assisted living homes, make sure you make an honest evaluation of what you or a family member needs.
You’ll want to avoid committing to assisted living only to have to transfer after a few months because your requirements have grown too large to handle.
While this occurs due to unanticipated changes in medical demands, it may be a costly and tedious endeavor that you can often avoid via open dialogue and careful thinking.
4. Length of Stay
In general, competent nursing is required in the short term, whereas assisted living is needed over a long duration.
Skilled nursing is typically required following hospitalization or a rapid deterioration in health, which is why assisted living exists to allow individuals to live generally and still have close aid for challenging chores.
It is essential to clarify that “short-term” just implies “temporary” in this context.
According to the American Health Care Association, 78 percent of people who enter a skilled care facility stay for more than 100 days. Longer-term (calendar) help from a professional care facility is typical.
5. The Goal of the Residency
Most skilled nursing institutions aim for rehabilitation, followed by the return to independent living. Sometimes the objective is to rehabilitate a person to transition to a more long-term supportive living situation.
Assisted living, on the other hand, is not considered transitory. The idea is to provide an individual with freedom while aiding with bathing, dressing, and food preparation (among others).
One choice is not superior to the other; both serve a distinct purpose based on current demand.
The ability to participate in social events is a significant similarity between skilled nursing and assisted living.
Depending on what a particular residence offers, both supportive living environments may provide a schedule of activities – including game nights, religious services, health centers, dining options, and so on – that make many residents feel like they are on vacation with friends rather than in an institution.
6. Living Independence
Because competent nursing exists to assist persons following hospitalization or a precipitous decrease in health, it often entails continual monitoring and 24-hour medical care. A resident’s schedule may be more constrained due to the necessity of medical care.
On the other hand, residents in assisted living communities have a great deal of freedom—they are entirely in charge of their schedules and may decide how frequently and to what extent they need or want support.
Many assisted living communities provide transportation services so that residents may come and go as they wish without worrying about driving. Individuals who choose assisted living do not require round-the-clock medical care or attention.
If provided with options, most people would choose assisted living over specialized care for the sake of freedom alone. Choosing expert nursing (for someone else) should be done with extreme caution and compassion.
What’s Best for Your Loved Ones?
It’s challenging to know when to go from independent senior living to assisted living or a skilled nursing facility. Understanding your local alternatives is an ideal place to start.
If you are in relatively excellent health but want assistance with certain daily chores, assisted living homes may be suitable. If you require 24-hour medical care in addition to basic amenities, a nursing home may be a better option.
Once you’ve determined the sort of facility you want, check into the possibilities in your region to unravel one that fits into your budget, satisfies your needs, and offers the services you require.
Feel free to contact Cypress Assisted Living on any questions you might have about assisted living homes.