Are you or someone you love considering moving into a skilled nursing or assisted living facility? If so, it can be important to understand some of the primary differences between them.
The first big difference involves the type and level of care provided by skilled nursing homes and assisted living facilities. An assisted living facility provides more of a residential setting, allowing residents to live independently in apartments or townhomes while providing access to simple medical care, assistance in some daily activities, and community events and activities. A skilled nursing home provides around-the-clock care for seniors who have more complex medical needs or require constant monitoring and assistance. Because of the 24-7 access to medical care that a skilled nursing home provides, the setting can feel more clinical and less residential, but residents can take comfort knowing their medical and daily needs are being met.
The second important difference between skilled nursing and assisted living facilities is their cost and the availability of coverage and benefits to pay for it. The American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living, estimates the cost of a skilled nursing home to be over $100,000.00 per year, which is nearly double that of an assisted living community. It can be important that you consult an elder law attorney so that you understand the options for having these costs covered in whole or in part. For example, Medicaid will pay for the costs associated with a skilled nursing home but will not provide full benefits for assisted living. An elder law attorney can analyze your finances and help you create a plan so that you can obtain the best coverage for your situation.
To learn more about skilled nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and covering the costs of long-term care, please reach out to our office to schedule an appointment.