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There will likely come a time in your life when you must consider senior care for yourself or someone you love. Researching the various types of senior care facilities and trying to make the decision as to which will suit your needs best can be an overwhelming and stressful experience.
There are a number of options available. The two most popular types of senior care facilities are assisted living and skilled nursing. It’s important to understand the differences between the two and weigh out the benefits each offers to meet your needs. Both facilities provide assistance with daily activities and both provide medical care, but the skill and level required is distinctive between the two.
What is Skilled Nursing?
Commonly referred to as a nursing home, residents in a skilled nursing facility can no longer live safely alone at home and often require more assistance than family members can provide. A skilled nursing facility provides around the clock assistance with day to day activities, and inpatient medical care 24/7. Medical professionals like speech, physical and occupational therapists, licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, and certified nursing assistants are always on staff at a skilled nursing facility.
Medicare defines skilled care as “medical care that can only be safely and effectively performed by, or under the supervision of, professionals or technical personnel.” While Medicare typically does not cover the expense of an assisted living facility, it does generally cover the expense of a skilled nursing facility for meals, rooms, medical equipment and supplies, required therapies, and skilled nursing care.
What is Assisted Living?
Commonly referred to as a senior living or retirement community, assisted living offers a home-like environment for seniors who are more independent, but for whatever reason no longer want or are able to live at home alone. Assisted living communities offer rooms in the form of private or shared rooms, or 1 and 2 bedroom apartments.
These seniors may need assistance with daily activities like housekeeping, bathing, medication management, laundry or other day to day activities, and are able to choose which services they need. An assisted living community also provides 24/7 emergency care, as well as transportation to appointments, group and social outings, shopping trips, and more. Most offer shared indoor and outdoor community areas and a calendar of regularly scheduled social, recreational, or religious activities.
How Do They Differ?
Both assisted living and skilled nursing facilities provide medical care and assistance with daily living. The major difference between the two is the level and skill required to provide these services.
Below are the most obvious differences between the two.
Level of independence.
One of the biggest differences between residents in an assisted living facility and those living in a skilled nursing facility are their level of independence.
Residents in an assisted living community are independent for the most part, but may need assistance with some or all of their daily activities, and the choice is up to them. Many of these seniors are still able to drive themselves if they choose, and will remain in the assisted living community as long as they need to or until their level of independence changes.
Patients in a skilled nursing facility, on the other hand, require complete or almost complete assistance with their daily activities and require a higher and more intensive level of medical care. These seniors often include those with chronic illness, mobility issues, and advanced stages of dementia.
Level of care.
The level of skill required between the two facilities is the biggest and most noticeable difference between them.
Patients in a skilled nursing facility need around the clock medical care and supervision. These individuals are often those with chronic, complex, or extensive medical needs and are unable to address these needs on their own. They are also usually completely reliant on the facility care staff for their daily needs. This can include patients who are no longer able to feed or bathe themselves, and those who cannot move about safely on their own.
On the other hand, residents in an assisted living facility usually only need a little assistance with things like housekeeping, medication management, or personal hygiene. They live mostly independent lives, but need staff on hand in case the need arises. These seniors are also better able to be active within the community by taking part in planned recreational and social activities. These individuals do not require the same 24/7 comprehensive medical care services as those living in a skilled nursing facility.
Conclusion
When you or a senior loved one reach the stage in life where extra assistance is needed, it’s important to understand what your options are and which best suits your needs. Terrace Ridge offers a discerning residential environment for those who, for whatever reason, should not live alone, but do not require skilled nursing care. Here, residents can live as independently as they wish, with the calm assurance that help is always available, should they require assistance with their activities of daily living. Residents may range from being very independent to being physically and/or memory challenged. Contact us today to learn more.
