With various types of senior care available, selecting the right one for an aging parent or loved one can be a dizzying experience. Assisted living and skilled nursing facilities are two senior living options for those who need extra assistance and can’t live independently, either temporarily or for the long term.
Although seniors can receive supportive services from both assisted living and skilled nursing care, these facilities aren’t the same. Every senior has their own care needs, and some communities may be better suited to meet those than others.
Let our care assessment guide you
Our free tool provides options, advice, and next steps based on your unique situation.
So, how do you know what senior living option is the right fit when aging at home isn’t an option? Learning about the different features and benefits of both can help you find the right care solution for you or your loved one.
Assisted living communities offer a long-term housing option for seniors that want to enjoy their independence but need some extra help with activities of daily living (ADLs). Skilled nursing provides more intensive medical care to patients that require around-the-clock support for an injury or illness.
Let our care assessment guide you
Our free tool provides options, advice, and next steps based on your unique situation.
Many assisted living communities have services and amenities that create the feeling of an all-inclusive retreat. A skilled nursing facility offers its own set of amenities and services, but the specialized environment makes it feel more like staying in a hospital rather than a hotel.
Assisted living communities tend to offer services and amenities that promote residents’ well-being and social interactions. Residents are generally in charge of their own schedules and can fill their days with the activities they enjoy the most.
There’s an abundance of amenities and services provided by assisted living communities. They can include:
Skilled nursing patients can enjoy similar amenities to those provided in assisted living, such as daily meals, activity programs, and housekeeping. However, the services tend to be more centered on medical care, such as:
Additionally, a person living in a skilled nursing facility may have a more limited schedule than someone in assisted living, depending on the amount of medical care needed, and scheduled activities are usually less active or strenuous. Some activities can be provided in a group setting, or one-on-one if a patient can’t leave their room, and may include:
Residents can expect to live in a homelike atmosphere in assisted living. With skilled nursing, care is provided in more of a medical setting.
Assisted living communities offer care from a more residential-type setting than a skilled nursing facility might. These communities typically have a main dining room for residents to enjoy restaurant-style meals, as well as shared indoor and outdoor common areas for scheduled community activities.
Residents usually live in private and semi-private apartment-like residences that come equipped with:
This apartment lifestyle can accommodate the differing needs of elderly couples, such as if one spouse needs help with ADLs while the other is independent. Residents are typically encouraged to decorate their space with their own personal items, which helps give it a homelike feel and makes the transition process a bit easier.
Skilled nursing usually takes place in a medical setting, such as a nursing home, hospital, or rehabilitation center. However, some health agencies may offer skilled nursing services in residents’ homes.
Similar to assisted living communities, a skilled nursing facility often has a communal dining room for residents to eat their meals, depending on their health, where meals are typically served cafeteria-style. Many skilled nursing facilities also have common areas, where they host activities such as:
Living accommodations in a skilled nursing facility have a more hospital-like feel than in assisted living communities. Since skilled nursing is usually a short-term living option, with 25% of patients staying for three months or less,[01] the rooms aren’t usually decorated with personal items. Living spaces in a skilled nursing facility typically offer:
Talk with a Senior Living Advisor
Our advisors help 300,000 families each year find the right senior care for their loved ones.
Costs related to assisted living and skilled nursing facilities vary due to a number of factors, such as size, location, and services offered.
Assisted living communities are generally less costly than skilled nursing facilities since they don’t provide full-time medical care. Many assisted living communities have base fees that include the costs of:
Assisted living communities may also have extra fees such as:
Residents typically pay out of pocket for assisted living, but some communities may accept payment from Medicare, Medicaid, or long-term care insurance policies.
Skilled nursing is generally the most expensive form of senior care due to the higher level of support needed. The monthly rate covers the costs of the following services:
Unlike many assisted living communities, skilled nursing care can be covered by most long-term care insurance policies and government assistance programs such as Medicare and Medicaid.
When it comes to deciding on skilled nursing versus assisted living, a majority of the decision will come down to how much care is needed. Skilled nursing may be a better fit for someone if they have more challenging medical needs than assisted living communities can provide care for. It may also be a better option for those who need:
In short, a skilled nursing facility is ideal for someone who just had a hospitalization or experienced medical issues, such as a heart attack or stroke.
Read related article:Skilled Nursing Facility vs. Rehab Center: How to Choose
Seniors will likely seek assisted living as a permanent living solution when they’re still generally active but it’s no longer safe for them to live at home. Assisted living may be a good fit for seniors who:
Assisted living is optimal for seniors who want to preserve their independence as long as possible, while having help available when it’s needed.
When it comes to choosing between skilled nursing and assisted living, deciding which type of facility can best support your or a loved one’s care needs is the easiest part. Once that’s been established, you can get started researching, touring, and comparing those types of facilities to find the right match.
Whether you’re looking at assisted living communities or skilled nursing facilities, A Place for Mom’s Senior Living Advisors can help you every step of the way. They’ll take the time to learn about your family’s unique needs and point you to different senior care options in your area.
Key Takeaways
Health In Aging. (2022, October). Nursing homes.
Genworth Financial, (2022, February 07). Genworth cost of care survey.
The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical, legal or financial advice or create a professional relationship between A Place for Mom and the reader. Always seek the advice of your health care provider, attorney or financial advisor with respect to any particular matter, and do not act or refrain from acting on the basis of anything you have read on this site. Links to third-party websites are only for the convenience of the reader; A Place for Mom does not endorse the contents of the third-party sites.
Make the best senior care decision