When you live in an assisted living facility, you will receive assistance with dressing, medications, bathing, and meal preparation. The terms “assisted living” and “skilled nursing” are often used interchangeably, but they refer to two different levels of senior care. The decision to move from the home you’re used to into a home where you can receive more care is already an incredibly difficult one for most seniors and their loved ones to make. You don’t know what your long-term health will be like, how it might affect your ability to live the life you want, or how it … Residents aren’t closely monitored, but someone is always close by when needed. They will be calling you in the next few minutes. Like assisted living, skilled nursing facilities provide an event calendar and specialized dining choices. Skilled nursing services are often provided for short-term stays following hospitalization, surgery, injury or some other significant decline in health such as a heart attack or stroke. Nursing homes or skilled nursing communities are better suited to those who need more care than an assisted living community can provide — especially if they have medical needs that require round-the-clock monitoring by licensed medical professionals or intensive physical, occupational or speech therapy. Join 200,448 Families Who've Found Assisted Living Communities on SeniorLiving.org. Assisted Living . The major difference between assisted living facilities vs. nursing homes lies in the level of care that they offer. Choosing between nursing home care and assisted living for a loved one who requires residential care is a difficult decision and one that is faced by many families. At the end of the day, the care needs of the senior will determine which type of community is most appropriate for their given situation. Although assisted living communities don’t provide for medically intensive needs, they may partner with other healthcare professionals such as home health agencies and hospice to provide for a resident’s needs. When you live in an assisted living facility, you will receive assistance with dressing, medications, bathing, and meal preparation. Approximately 25% of the skilled nursing care population will stay less than three months. If your loved one needs medical attention from a doctor or nurse on an ongoing basis, a nursing home is more preferable. Choosing between nursing home care and assisted living for a loved one who requires residential care is a difficult decision and one that is faced by many families. Residents in skilled nursing facilities typically need help that goes beyond ADL care. However, nursing homes are more likely to focus on shared accommodations versus private rooms than an assisted living community. Assistance with daily living activities, such as bathing, eating, hygiene, help with medications or assistance getting around, Covered some by Medicaid but most communities are private pay only, Residents must be able to walk and stand independently, Residents must not have severe cognitive issues, Most facilities accept insurance, Medicare and Medicaid, Fraud Waste & Abuse False Claims Act Policy. Residents in an assisted living community usually have their own apartment or suite. We’ll search for available assisted living in your area and even schedule tours for you. Assisted Living vs. If you learn one thing from this article, let it be this: assisted living, skilled nursing, and memory care all offer different care services. This article tackles the living options available to older adults, with particular emphasis on assisted living facilities and nursing homes. Assisted living and skilled nursing communities are both long-term care options that provide a range of supportive medical, personal and social services for people who can no longer meet their own basic living needs for extended periods of time. Questions? Assisted living communities encourage independence and provide less medical care; whereas, skilled nursing communities are more restrictive but provide more medically intensive care. Physicians on-site or on call 24/7. Skilled Nursing. Here's a breakdown of assisted living communities and nursing … You may find this information helpful in talking with your patients, residents, and their families. Cost of Care: Assisted Living vs Skilled Nursing. Be sure to ask as many questions are you need to in order to feel comfortable with your final decision. Essentially, in assisted living communities, residents receive assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), while still handling most activities on their own. Assisted living facilities by law cannot provide these services that require licensed nurses to administer. Transportation to and from doctor’s appointments and other errands is often available. Many senior living communities also offer memory care. One of the biggest differences between these two care options is the amount of medical care provided for residents. Skilled nursing services also can be paid for through most insurance providers, as well as through Medicare and Medicaid sources or private payment. Most Assisted Living facilities also offer different levels of care and have caregivers on staff to offer help with daily living activities. Memory care will run substantially higher. Although residents can choose to prepare their own meals and dine/entertain in their own apartment, centralized dining areas are typically available. On average, for every 100 resident beds, there are 40 nursing assistants, seven RNs and thirteen LPNs on staff. In a skilled nursing community, residents receive constant nursing care and need assistance with most, if not all, ADLs. The modern day skilled nursing facility has transformed into a private environment of personal care with dignity. Speak to our senior living advisors (844) 722-8800 or browse our FAQs. Services, which are medical in nature, are covered by Medicare, Medicaid, Veterans Benefits and most long-term insurance policies in certified facilities. ... formerly known as skilled nursing, they would have access to a health care center within the organization. There are a bunch of differences between assisted living and skilled nursing, including the following: Assisted Living. Skilled Nursing. As an advocate for seniors, the primary philosophy has been to listen, educate and provide… Learn More About Scott Witt, Since graduating from Harvard with an honors degree in Statistics, Jeff has been creating content in print, online, and on television. Tweet; Aging can be scary because of its uncertainty. Accommodations are generally apartment-like; may be private or semi-private. However, the primary focus of assisted living is to help residents with activities of daily living. I’m glad you want to take advantage of this free service. Memory care apartments generally do not have kitchens. Skilled nursing centers, also known commonly known as nursing homes, provide more specialized support. Nursing homes: Licensed daily rate or rental properties that are technically referred to as skilled nursing facilities (SNF) or nursing facilities (NF), where the majority of individuals require 24/7 nursing and/or medical care. Some assisted living residences are affiliated with or even adjacent to nursing homes to provide a long continuum of care for seniors, who may eventually transition from assisted living to a nursing home when they need more care. I just need some details before we chat. Although sometimes temporary, a stay in a skilled nursing community could be likened to a long-term hospital stay. Whereas skilled nursing is a medical setting, assisted living is a residential setting. When you’ve narrowed your option down to assisted living or skilled nursing, and you’ve narrowed your choices down to a few communities within that option, tour the communities. Assisted living and skilled nursing costs are typically inclusive of standard daily needs, including housing, meals, and activities to keep residents healthy and engaged. Assisted living communities provide care to older adults who can no longer safely live at home by themselves; however, assisted living residents don’t require the higher level of care a skilled nursing community provides. Instead of speaking with me, I’m actually going to connect you with our assisted living advisor that specializes in the {{zip_code}} area. Caregivers are available around the clock. This option is best for people who are still mobile and is currently in transition from living independently to having help or assisted living. In 2016, a private room averaged $253 per day and a semi-private room averaged $225 per day. Care is provided by professional caregivers. Services may be covered by long-term care insurance and Veterans benefits. Assisted Living vs Nursing Home: Living Accommodations. By contrast, a skilled nursing facility is designed for those who have complex medical needs, from pain management to post-stroke rehabilitation. Shifting to assisted living can help in household management as well as open doors to new potential peers. Our Senior Living Consultants are Standing by... the cost of care is covered by Medicare and Medicaid. Assisted Living. At an Assisted Living community there is no health care center, so additional services are brought to that resident for as long as possible. Skilled nursing is typically for those with acute and complex health care conditions that require ongoing nursing care and therapy. Nursing homes are generally designed for seniors who require 24-hour medical supervision due to physical or mental conditions that leave them unable to care for themselves. After all, there is no universal rule to age. The average assisted living costs are $4,051 per month in the United States, according to Genworth’s 2019 Cost of Care survey. Some certified communities accept Medicaid and Medicare. Skilled nursing communities provide 24/7 skilled nursing care for individuals requiring specialized medical care or daily therapy services in a skilled-care setting. But it doesn’t require medical expertise. A registered nurse (RN) is on duty for at least eight hours of each day seven days a week. Much of his work has been dedicated to informing seniors on how to live better lives. Finding the right living arrangement can seem overwhelming at times, especially when a precipitating event has made it necessary, which is often the case. But these two senior living options aren’t the same. Their structures usually mirror the ones that hospitals use, and residents of nursing homes generally do not have any privacy. Assisted living facilities also require that residents pay out of pocket for services. One of our readers kindly shared this image that compares assisted living communities vs. nursing homes. Additionally, both skilled nursing facilities and assisted living communities offer common areas for dining and socialization. Skilled nursing often happens in the context of a traditional nursing home or rehabilitation center, while assisted living programs can be more residential in nature –anything from a stand-alone cottage to a high-rise apartment building. Assisted living facilities also require that residents pay out of pocket for services. Skilled nursing facilities are a new name for a familiar face: nursing homes. For those who are too incapacitated to make it to the group activities, pastimes and pursuits are brought to their rooms. Medications are administered by a nurse or licensed medical technician. Typically, families have very little experience with either type of care and often feel ill-prepared to make the correct decision. The benefits of a nursing home, aka skilled nursing. Whether it’s becoming more forgetful or a life-altering event, many seniors move into senior living communities because it’s no longer safe to live alone. Monthly, that’s $7,590 and $6,750, respectively. For both assisted living and memory care, several variables affect cost. Assisted living communities provide a home-like environment and encourage residents to live as independently as possible but have staff available to provide assistance with ADLs as needed. However, the focus of assisted living is to help residents with daily living activities, such as bathing, dressing, eating and taking medicines. Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF) are also referred to as nursing homes, and convalescent hospitals. Patients in skilled nursing facilities typically require assistance in almost every activity of daily living such as bathing, walking, grooming, and eating. They also provide for “custodial care”, otherwise known as daily living activities like bathing, feeding, and dressing, similar to an assisted living facility. How Memory Care Differs from Assisted Living Cost of Memory Care vs. These units often provide advanced security measures, such as secured entrances/exits and additional surveillance equipment. However, the price of moving to assisted living vs skilled nursing is very different. Assisted Living (ALF) If a person still has good mobility and is transitioning from an independent living setting, Assisted Living may be the most appropriate next step to help simplify household management and be in a community of peers. Assisted Living The level of care these types of elder care facilities offer can vary significantly. Some assisted living and skilled nursing communities may also have specialized memory care units, often a dedicated wing within the facility, to provide for the specialized care needed with advanced cognitive difficulties. Assisted Living vs. If your loved one needs medical attention from a doctor or nurse on an ongoing basis, a nursing … The biggest difference between the two is the level of care provided and who provides that care. Long term care – also referred to as skilled nursing or nursing home care ­– can offer much of the same, but it's for residents who need assistance with care 24 hours a day in a setting supervised by licensed nurses. Consequently, skilled nursing facilities are more expensive than assisted living communities, because the level of care is higher. This medically intensive care is provided by professionally licensed personnel. Full-time medical personnel are on site or on call. Skilled Nursing Learn more at otterbein.org Compare the services you’ll ˜nd at skilled nursing and assisted living to better understand which one you or a loved one might need. While there are some smaller nursing homes available, most are larger and designed to accommodate at least 100 residents on average. Two of the most common are skilled nursing facilities and assisted living … Assisted living communities have scheduled times for licensed nursing services; however, registered nurses (RNs) and/or licensed practical nurses (LPNs) are accessible and on call, although they may or may not always be present. That's why personal care is a stronger focus within facilities that provide assisted living (vs. skilled nursing facilities, which have a stronger focus on skilled care for medical conditions). Still, assisted living homes aren’t required to have skilled nursing staff. Choosing the right type of care for your loved one ensures that their needs are met without going over budget. Assisted living campuses do not provide medical care so the resident must move to a different type of senior care location, such as a skilled nursing center, if they need medical care. Skilled nursing, on the other hand, involves providing medical treatment and must be done by licensed medical professionals. Assisted Living vs. Assisted living communities have staff members who are trained to offer supervision and support to their residents; depending on the levels of care that the community focuses on, the facility may have skilled nursing care and medical services on-site as well. For example, if outpatient therapy is needed three times a week, a home health agency can come into the community to provide therapy (e.g. Have Questions? Someone needing or desiring specialized care or one-on-one care can arrange for this supplemental care through a third party at an additional cost. Here’s a brief overview of what you’ll find in assisted living vs. nursing homes, and the questions to ask before selecting one or the other. Assisted living communities are a unique option for older adults who are mostly independent but require some assistance with day-to-day living. Because a skilled nursing community provides medically necessary care and care that is supervised by a licensed physician, the cost of care is covered by Medicare and Medicaid and most long-term care insurance policies. Each apartment typically has a living area, dining area, small kitchen and private bath. Basic skilled intermediate and custodial care, i.e. You don’t know what your long-term health will be like, how it might affect your ability to live the life you want, or how it … They are less private and more institutional in nature. Nursing homes vs. assisted living facilities: Breaking it down. Residents can bring their own furniture and belongings, creating a true home-like environment. Some states refer to assisted living as residential care. Best of luck! Three meals are served in a communal dining area at no additional cost. Skilled nursing communities generally have a calendar full of daily scheduled activities. Various activities are scheduled on a daily basis focused on keeping the residents busy throughout the day. We’ll start with the actual definitions of various facility settings, as defined by the California Department of Insurance: Great! Assisted living communities are a unique option for older adults who are mostly independent but require some assistance with day-to-day living.Nursing homes are generally designed for seniors who require 24-hour medical supervision due to physical or mental conditions that leave them unable to care for themselves. In an assisted living community, residents reside in an apartment-style residence that may be private or semi-private. Understanding the differences empowers you to make the best choice for you or your loved one. Be sure to ask each community about the services they offer and what services come with additional costs. By contrast, a skilled nursing facility is designed for those who have complex medical needs, from pain management to post-stroke rehabilitation. Assisted living facilities by law cannot provide these services that require licensed nurses to administer. Call the free Assisted Living Hotline: As you search for the right living options for yourself or someone you care about, you may find yourself wondering about the differences between assisted living and skilled nursing care. This chart should make the comparison easier if you’re trying to make a choice between an assisted living or skilled living community. Assisted Living vs. Hi, I’m a senior care specialist trained to match you with the best assisted living options for your loved one. Caregiving services provided around the clock. Both offer a higher level of senior care than independent living, but where do the differences lie? These residents receive much-needed assistance with ADLs plus round-the-clock complex medical care and supervision. Our Senior Living Consultants are Standing by... © Copyright 2020 SeniorLiving.org a Centerfield Media Company. Calendar of activities, often offering community activities and field trips, Calendar of activities, not as “active” as assisted living, Assisted Care Communities and Personal Care Homes, Nursing Homes, Convalescent Care, Nursing Centers, Long Term Care Facility, Advanced stage pressure ulcers (bed sores), Physical, speech and/or occupational therapies, Pharmaceutical, radiology and laboratory services. Less active and less strenuous activities scheduled throughout the day. SNF’s provide 24 hour nursing services under the supervision of a registered nurse or if under 59 beds a licensed vocational nurse. Independent living communities are drastically different from nursing home facilities. Many assisted living residents remain involved in community activities, unlike nursing home residents. Between $2,500 – $4,000 per month. Housekeeping and laundry services are generally included at no additional cost. An assisted living facility can provide skilled nursing services when needed, plus a chance for seniors to remain independent without feeling isolated. Memory care will run substantially higher. Ultimately, the purpose of the two types of communities are completely different; independent living communities are about enjoying a community of other seniors that caters to your lifestyle preferences, while nursing homes are designed to help seniors with the activities of daily living or with the management of medical conditions. Home > Compare > Assisted Living Vs Skilled Nursing. Here's a breakdown of assisted living communities and nursing … In general, assisted living is an independent option offering protection that … Skilled nursing facilities provide access to specialists, such as physical therapists, social workers, geriatric dieticians and others who are often difficult to align when living at home. Skilled Nursing Cooking, cleaning and helping seniors with activities of daily living takes a unique skill set, including kindness, empathy and patience. There comes a time when you or your loved one requires care that can be more than what is offered at home. During these temporary stays, resident’s care is typically focused on providing rehabilitative services to prepare them to return to their previously independent lifestyle. If a person still has good mobility and is transitioning from an independent living setting, Assisted Living may be the most appropriate next step to help simplify household management and be in a community of peers. Examples of personal care services include: Helping residents eat, bathe, get dressed, or go to the bathroom Below please see an outline of each, so you can choose the best option for you or a loved one. Residents often have complex medical conditions with high care needs requiring routine skilled nursing services, such as: Residents typically share a semi-private room, and unless they are too ill or incapacitated to do so, they eat their meals in a common dining area. Skilled Nursing Posted on July 29, 2019 by Paramount Senior Living If you’re looking into long-term living options and wondering which environment to choose, you’ll want to understand the similarities and differences between skilled nursing care and assisted living or personal care communities near you. Skilled nursing facilities offer substantial nursing care to residents compared to assisted living facilities. The decision to move from your established home to a skilled nursing or assisted living community can be challenging for many older adults to make, so it’s important to understand what the key differences are. Assisted Living vs Skilled Nursing. Physician ordered extensive medical care is provided. Nursing Homes vs. Assisted living‘s main goal is housing that provides certain care assistance; nursing homes, on the other hand, focus on providing skilled nursing care while also providing housing. Accommodations, generally semi-private, are more hospital-like. However, there are some distinct differences in levels of care each provide, as well as the payment options and community environment. However assisted living facilities typically are not staffed to provide 24/7 care. After medical rehabilitation,they would be able to return to the community, either to their home or an assisted living … LPNs on-site at all times. Assisted living means just that: Your parent is assisted with the activities of daily life. Skilled nursing facilities focus on providing short-term care and a high level of medical attention to patients, but longer stays are also common. Typically, families have very little experience with either type of care and often feel ill-prepared to make the correct decision. These include the geographic area where one lives, whether one has a private room or a shared living … The difference is that nursing homes are much more likely to employ skilled nurses such as registered nurses (RNs) or licensed practical or vocational nurses (LPNs or LVNs). While Assisted Living facilities may accept payment from long term care insurance policies, you will need to explore which payor sources are accepted as most only accept private payment. physical, occupational or speech therapy) or hospice agencies can come in to provide end of life care. Skilled Nursing vs Assisted Living: What to Know. Assisted living residents may only need a moderate amount of care, such as help getting dressed or assistance with medications. Most assisted living communities also make transportation available to enable residents to stay active in the community and to attend church services, beauty appointments and other outings. RNs on-site at least 8 hours per day. The average monthly cost of a nursing home is nearly double that: $7,513 per month for a semi-private room or $8,517 per month for a private room. However, the price of moving to assisted living vs skilled nursing is very different. So how does assisted living differ from a nursing home? Cost of Care: Assisted Living vs Skilled Nursing. Assisted Living vs Skilled Nursing. Assisted living facilities may have a nursing staff and a health clinic. While many seniors prefer to “age in place” at home, it’s important to remember this may not always be a viable option. The differences between skilled nursing facilities, or SNFs, and assisted living facilities are sometimes hard to pin down. Assisted living communities can offer a high level of care with “activities of daily living.” such as bathing, dressing, toileting and so on, but this kind of care is considered non-medical. Often, assisted living residents just want the peace of mind knowing someone’s there to help if needed. Skill ed Nursi ng A helping handwith some daily tasks Living in a private apartment Medication reminders or … Someone desiring one-on-one care can arrange for this supplemental care through a third party at additional cost. Nursing homes vs. assisted living facilities: Breaking it down. In a skilled nursing community, medically intensive care is provided for those individuals who have complex or chronic medical needs, severe pain, permanent disabilities or those who are recovering from injury, illness or surgery. Assisted Living vs. While both options provide older adults with secure environments, a majority of the skilled nursing homes present residents with bedrooms that they share. Assisted living communities encourage residents to live as independently as possible while providing needed assistance with ADLs such as (but not limited to) bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting assistance and medication management. Residents in skilled nursing facilities typically need help that goes beyond ADL care. Assisted living facilities, unlike nursing homes, are not regulated by the federal government. Like assisted living, skilled nursing facilities provide an event calendar and specialized dining choices. Housekeeping and laundry services are provided. To choose a suitable senior living community for seniors is a daunting task in these times. Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities and skilled nursing facilities are similar but have one distinct characteristic. For others, however, a skilled nursing community becomes their long-term and permanent home. Assisted Living (ALF). Assisted Living vs Nursing Home was written by Disha Joshi, RD & reviewed/edited by Katie Dodd, MS, RDN, CSG, LD, FAND Disha has been a Registered Dietitian since 2011 and currently works in long term care. Meals may be prepared by a resident in their own kitchen in their apartment. Three meals are served in a centralized dining area, usually at no additional cost. Offering physical, speech and occupational therapy services, a skilled nursing facility offers a more intensive option to help someone regain mobility or recovery after a significant health event while also offering a community setting to be with others who share a similar phase of life. Whether the need is short-term rehabilitation or long-term care, our round-the-clock skilled nursing program provides the monitoring of medications, delicious meals, clean and fresh laundry service, and assistance with bathing and dressing your loved one. Large common areas are the norm, offering unlimited opportunities for socialization and providing residents with a feeling of community. To be clear, skilled nursing is considered a medical setting, while assisted living is considered a residential setting. While a nursing care center generally looks a little institutional because of the type of care provided, an assisted living usually resembles an upscale apartment community. Oct 7, 2020 7:12:00 AM / Chris Harper. The best assisted living communities are staffed by certified health care professionals, with at least one registered nurse on-site at all times. Comparing assisted living and nursing homes. Assisted living facilities (ALFs) offer a wide range of supportive services like housekeeping, medication management, meal preparation, and assistance with dressing and bathing, but they do not offer skilled nursing care. Skilled Nursing. Nursing Homes provide care for patients that require licensed nurses to care for and monitor patients’ health care. Medi-Cal for Assisted Living Facility Residents. The decision to move from the home you’re used to into a home where you can receive more care is already an incredibly difficult one for most seniors and their loved ones to make. Nursing homes provide medical and personal care services beyond what's available in assisted living. After a hospital stay, nursing homes can act as an intermediate step to provide rehabilitative care before the person returns to independent or assisted living. In contrast, skilled nursing patients require 24-hour nursing care and medical supervision. In both assisted living facilities and nursing homes, most full-time employees are nurse aides or assistants. Here are the sections that will be discussed: Quick Summary; Definition of an Assisted Living Facility (ALF) Definition of a Nursing Home (NH) or Skilled Nursing Facility Assisted Living Assisted living is for seniors who do not require constant care but need assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), such as assistance with eating, bathing, dressing, and medication management. We'll address them here and introduce you to other senior living programs that might be appropriate for your loved one. Need Help? Following a 3-day stay at the hospital, they were moved to a skilled nursing facility to receive professional rehabilitation and wound care. Activities provided in the room for those who cannot join group activities. A look at the basics. By David Levine , Contributor Nov. 5, 2020 An assisted living facility may be an ideal option for your loved one if: They are generally healthy but feel isolated at … You may find this information helpful in talking with your patients, residents, and their families. Consider the above example of the senior who fell in the shower. Assisted living typically represents the first level of supportive care by providing personal assistance to otherwise independent older adults. Skilled nursing is typically for those with acute and complex health care conditions that require ongoing nursing care and therapy. Nursing homes, SeniorLiving.org explains, are also known as skilled nursing facilities. As Editor-in-Chief of the personal… Learn More About Jeff Hoyt. What is assisted living? When it’s no longer safe to live independently, many people find themselves wondering which option is best for themselves or someone they care about. Choosing the right type of care for your loved one ensures that their needs are met without going over budget. Skilled Nursing. Assisted living communities encourage independence and provide less medical care; whereas, skilled nursing communities are more restrictive but provide more medically intensive care. Skilled Nursing vs Assisted Living: What to Know. Costs: assisted living vs nursing home. Emergency medical care is always available through the usual channels. However, in both the skilled nursing care and assisted living settings, residents can also receive help with all activities of daily living from grooming and dressing, to eating and taking medication. Post author: Michelle Paul; With so many available options for senior care, the distinction between different types of facilities can be confusing at first glance. According to a 2019 study from Genworth, the average monthly cost of a private room in a skilled nursing facility is $8,517, which comes to about $102,204 a year. The market is so competitive these days with so many facilities available and they come in different shapes and sizes, because why not? Memory Care vs. Skilled Nursing Vs. Certified skilled nursing communities have licensed practical nurses (LPNs) on duty 24 hours a day. Mostly private pay. A nursing home, also known as a skilled nursing community, can play an important role on either a short-term or long-term basis. Tweet; Aging can be scary because of its uncertainty. Skilled Nursing Facility vs Assisted Living Facility: What’s the Difference? Both are a form of long-term care, but they differ in … Nursing home residents are more likely to share a room with another senior. Community activities and field trips are planned. Assisted living communities can offer a high level of care with “activities of daily living.” such as bathing, dressing, toileting and so on, but this kind of care is considered non-medical. Skilled nursing care would be most appropriate following a hospitalization or a decline in health that requires 24/7 nursing assistance. On the surface, Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing may seem similar. The main difference is that the level of medical care isn't the same between nursing homes and assisted living. Someone living in an assisted living community can, for the most part, still take care of … One of our readers kindly shared this image that compares assisted living communities vs. nursing homes. Assisted living and skilled nursing costs are typically inclusive of standard daily needs, including housing, meals, and activities to keep residents healthy and engaged. Oct 7, 2020 7:12:00 AM / Chris Harper. When the term “assisted living community” is used, it may be thought of as a nursing home. Staff is available round-the-clock to provide help when needed. Historically, skilled nursing residences have been accused of being more “institutional” than assisted living communities, but that has changed over the y… There are so many do offer less In these cases, they often find themselves comparing assisted living and skilled nursing. The level of care is the differentiating factor between these types of facilities providing assistance and treatment for our loved ones. Call Now for Immediate Assistance: Scott founded Select Home Care Portland in 2009 and has been helping seniors live their best life at home or in their local senior community ever since. There are a bunch of differences between assisted living and skilled nursing, including the following: Assisted Living. Personal Care vs. Transportation to and from doctor’s appointments is often available. Assisted living communities focus on providing a healthy social environment with a calendar full of life enrichment activities; however, residents have the freedom to set their own schedule and to pursue whatever interests and hobbies they desire.