Skilled Nursing Facilities vs. Nursing Homes: What's the Difference?

Author

Entrusted Legacy Law

Posted on

Feb 24, 2023

Book/Edition

Pennsylvania - Greater Pittsburgh Area

Share This

Many use the terms “skilled nursing facility” and “nursing home” interchangeably. However, they're separate care facilities. Although skilled nursing facilities and nursing homes sound similar, they have fundamental differences, including the level of medical care they provide.

Whereas nursing homes are long-term residential facilities that serve people with chronic conditions, skilled nursing facilities are rehabilitation and treatment centers. Nursing homes are appropriate for long-term residents, while skilled nursing facilities support short-term recovery from acute medical issues.


Duration of Stay

How long a person needs to stay at a facility can determine whether they go to a nursing home or a skilled nursing facility. People usually remain in nursing homes for longer durations than in skilled nursing facilities. Many older adults move into nursing homes permanently. Those in skilled nursing facilities tend to stay for shorter periods of time and then move back home or into long-term care.

According to the National Care Planning Council, people who enter nursing homes stay for an average of more than two years. The average stay in a skilled nursing facility is about a month.


Skilled Nursing

In addition to the length of stay, a significant difference between skilled nursing facilities and nursing homes is the type of care available. Skilled nursing facilities specialize in addressing residents’ unique medical needs.

Skilled nursing requires qualified practitioners with advanced training and specific certifications. Licensed health professionals work at skilled nursing facilities, including:

  • Registered nurses (RNs)

  • Licensed practical nurses (LPNs)

  • Speech and language pathologists

  • Physical and occupational therapists

Depending on the type of care you need, note that you can obtain skilled nursing services in other settings as well, including your home and nursing homes.


Types of Care Available in Skilled Nursing Facilities

Individuals who have severe accidents, such as falls, might need short-term care in a skilled nursing facility. Others may go to skilled nursing facilities to receive treatment for severe illnesses like cancer. People might also need to stay in a skilled nursing facility when recovering from surgery.

Types of care available at skilled nursing facilities include:

  • Physical therapy

  • Occupational therapy

  • Speech therapy

  • Wound care

  • Intravenous therapy

  • Injections

  • Catheter care

  • Medical monitoring

As part of medical care, specialized medical equipment is available at skilled nursing facilities.


Nursing Homes

When individuals can no longer live in their homes safely and need assistance with daily living, they may choose to move into a nursing home. Nursing homes also offer activities to residents, such as social events, shopping excursions, and access to religious services. Day and night, residents have access to nursing services.

However, unlike skilled nursing facilities, nursing homes don't offer medical care that meets all residents’ specific needs. Residents at nursing homes with specific medical needs often travel to healthcare facilities to receive care. Family members can drive residents to appointments, or they may use transportation services to access medical care that meets their unique needs.


In addition, while registered nurses work in nursing homes, fewer licensed professionals might be available to residents in this type of facility.


Learn more about choosing and evaluating nursing homes.


Assistance With Daily Living

Both skilled nursing facilities and nursing homes provide round-the-clock activities of daily living (ADLs), including:
  • Showering and bathing

  • Getting dressed

  • Cooking and meals

  • Personal hygiene

  • Walking

  • Mobility

  • Getting in and out of bed

  • Moving in and out of a wheelchair

This article is a service of Sharek Law Office, LLC. We don’t just draft documents; we ensure you make informed and empowered decisions about life and death, for yourself and the people you love. That's why we offer a Life and Legacy Planning Session, during which you will get more financially organized than you’ve ever been before, and make all the best choices for the people you love. You can begin by calling our office today to schedule a Life and Legacy Planning Session and mention this article to find out how to get this $750 session at no charge. Please note this is educational content only and is not intended to act as legal advice.

Other Articles You May Like

Residential Care Homes: What You Need to Know

ts easy to get confused about the different types of residential care facilities for older adults. You may wonder if a residential care home is the same as a nursing home. To add to the confusion, some residential care homes are one part of a larger community that offers more services as needed.Heres what you need to know about residential care homes.What Are Residential Care Homes?Residential care homes combine an independent environment with the ability to add support services as needed. They are sometimes called assisted living communities because you can get assistance as needed unlike a retirement community. Confused? We can see why! The terminology in this industry can often be hard to follow. But because most seniors want to live in the least restrictive environment, you must understand that there are differences among facilities.Generally, residential care homes allow residents to choose among several different floor plans, which often range from single-room studios to two-bedroom apartments. These apartments are maintenance-free and include utilities. Some also offer housekeeping and laundry services.The difference between a residential care home and a retirement community is that a residential care home (or assisted living facility) offers more medical and personal care services.Types of Services Offered by Residential Care HomesPlease note that the services offered by assisted living facilities vary greatly. However, here are some services you should ask about when touring an assisted living community.Meals: Some residents want to live as normal a life as possible when moving to a senior living community. They may want their own kitchen to prepare their meals as needed. However, some welcome the break from cooking. Ask if three meals a day are offered and ask to see the dining menu.Transportation: Some senior living options offer covered parking for those residents with their own vehicles. However, you may enjoy being driven to the market and other places within the community by staff members.Community events: Most assisted living communities schedule fun events that allow you to get to know other residents.Wellness programs: Many senior living communities offer wellness programs to improve the body and the mind.Support services: Finally, as people age, they may require more help, care, or supervision. For example, some need assistance with the activities of daily living, and others need reminders to take medications.As those needs increase and the resident requires more medical services, they may be required to transfer to skilled nursing facilities.What Are Continuing Care Retirement Communities?As you can see from our description, residential care homes allow residents independent living. However, as those needs change, most find it preferable to stay within the same community. This concept is the basis for a continuing care retirement community.While nursing homes of the past housed residents of many ability levels and needs, continuing care retirement communities allow you to move to different facilities within the same system. For example, you may find yourself in need of more medical care because of a recent fall. Memory care communities are available for those with Alzheimers disease or dementia. To learn more about finding a residential care facility in your area, contact RUI. We have beautiful continuing care retirement communities throughout the United States. Our senior living advisor will help determine which level of care is best for you. Key Takeaways About Residential Care FacilitiesMany seniors want to live as independently as possible. Some continuing care retirement communities offer levels of care that can increase over time.Ask for advice from your doctor and the retirement community to see which senior living option is best for you.

Benefits of Customized Living in Elderly Care Homes

Customized living in elderly care homes offers a personalized approach to senior care, tailoring services to meet the unique needs and preferences of each resident. As a provider of senior care in Minnesota, we have enlisted the benefits of embracing customized living in these compassionate environments:Tailored Care PlansCustomized living allows for individualized care plans that take into account the specific health, mobility, and cognitive needs of each resident. This personalized approach ensures that seniors receive the right level of assistance and support, promoting their overall well-being.Enhanced Quality of LifeBy tailoring services to residents preferences, elderly care homes create an environment that feels like home. Whether its choosing, daily activities, meal preferences, or the level of social engagement, customized living empowers seniors to maintain a sense of independence, fostering a higher quality of life.Flexibility and AdaptabilityAs the needs of seniors evolve, so too can their care plans. Customized living, including waivered care services, allows flexibility in adjusting services and support levels. This adaptability ensures that residents receive the appropriate care as their health conditions or preferences change over time.Holistic WellnessBeyond addressing physical health, customized living considers the holistic wellness of residents, including their emotional, social, and mental well-being. By crafting leisure activities, social interactions, and wellness programs to individual preferences, elderly care homes contribute to a more comprehensive and fulfilling lifestyle for seniors.If you are seeking an assisted living facility in Burnsville, Minnesota, that offers customized living, Cardenas Friendship Homes is here for you! Contact us to learn more about the services we offer!  Call us today at 612-616-7105.

Are You Eligible for Elderly Waiver Care Homes?

Elderly waiver care homes provide a valuable resource for seniors seeking personalized and supportive living arrangements. Understanding the eligibility criteria for these homes is crucial for individuals and their families navigating the complexities of senior care in Minnesota.    To qualify for elderly waiver care homes, individuals typically need to meet specific age requirements, with the most common threshold being 65 years or older. This age criterion ensures that these homes cater specifically to the needs of seniors who may benefit from additional assistance and a community of peers in a residential setting. In addition to age, many elderly waiver care homes consider the functional abilities of potential residents. Individuals who require assistance with activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, or meal preparation, are often eligible. The goal is to provide a supportive environment that enhances the quality of life for seniors who may face challenges in maintaining independence due to physical or cognitive limitations.  Financial eligibility is another crucial aspect. Elderly waiver care homes often accommodate individuals with limited financial resources, and some may accept Medicaid or other state-funded programs. This financial inclusivity ensures seniors from diverse economic backgrounds can access the necessary care and services.   Furthermore, elderly waiver care homes may consider individuals with specific medical conditions or disabilities that warrant specialized care. This criterion aims to create a community where residents with similar health needs can receive tailored waivered care services and assistance from trained caregivers.  Experience compassionate care tailored to your unique needs at Cardenas Friendship Homes. Our state-of-the-art assisted living facility in Burnsville, Minnesota, awaits, providing personalized support for a fulfilling and comfortable lifestyle.  Contact us today at 612-616-7105.  DISCLAIMER  Blogs, content and other media uploaded online are for informational purposes only. Contents on this website should not be considered medical advice. Readers are strongly encouraged to visit their physician for health-related issues.

Local Services By This Author

Entrusted Legacy Law

Elder Law 100 Pinewood Lane Suite #303, Warrendale, Pennsylvania, 15086

Our Firm Prepares You for Life What makes our firm different is that we were built with the needs of growing families in mind. We understand you are BUSY, you are growing, you are planning for a life of prosperity and you value ease, convenience and efficiency. You are raising children, and caring for elderly parents, while also working hard to build your own nest egg for a lifetime of support. You want to know youve made the best decisions for your family and that your plan will work when your loved ones need it most. You want to make sure your minor children would be raised by the people you choose, and never by anyone you wouldnt want, and that your teens and adult children are properly prepared to care for you and what you leave behind.  You want to feel confident that youve made the right choices, and handled everything so that you arent leaving behind a mess, when something happens. That is our focus as well. Weve developed unique systems to give you the same access to a Personal Family Lawyer as was previously only available to the super-wealthy, so you can have the guidance you need to build and maintain a life of prosperity and wealth. And, to keep your family out of court and out of conflict, which is the greatest risk to the people you love and all you have created, even if youve already worked with a traditional lawyer or created documents online. Our Team Is Here for You We encourage communication with our clients. In fact, weve thrown out the time clocks so you never have to be afraid to call with a quick question. Everything we do is billed on a flat-fee basis, agreed to in advance, so there are never any surprises. We have a whole team to serve you. When you call our office to ask your quick question, you wont have to wait hours or days for a phone call back. Youll get your question answered, right away. And, if you need to schedule a more in-depth legal or strategic call with your Personal Family Lawyer, a call will be scheduled when you're both available and ready for the call so we can make the very best use of your time and not waste your time by leaving voicemail after voicemail back and forth. And, we ensure the most important details of your planning are followed through on and your plan continues to work throughout your lifetime. We have a funding coordinator to ensure your assets are owned the right way throughout your lifetime and none of your assets will end up going through a long, expensive court process or being lost to the state because they were missed after your death. Weve created unique membership programs to keep your plan up to date year in and year out as well as give you access to our Trusted Team of Legal Experts for guidance on ANY legal or financial matter. One day you will need a lawyer. I dont know why and I dont know when, but when you do, you will be grateful you can call on us and well be here to advise you or get you out of a jam. We Help You Transfer Your Life and Legacy Lastly, we believe your financial wealth is only a small part of your overall Life and Legacy Planning which is made up of your far more valuable and most often lost upon incapacity or death intellectual, spiritual and human assets. These assets are what make you who you are, and sum up whats most important to you. And, a survey of inheritors has revealed that what they care about even more than inheriting your money, is inheriting these intangible assets.   Most estate plans only focus on the transfer of your financial wealth to the next generation. Most people have such great intentions of passing on the intangible, but very few ever get around to it. Its just not a priority, until its too late. How much do you know about your grandparents values? Their most prized personal possessions? How they felt about you? What they had learned during their lifetime? If you are like most people, you know very little. Thats why we build the capture and passage of these most valuable assets into every estate plan we create. Not only will we help you pass on your money, but also your values, your insights, your stories and your experience the truly valuable assets your loved ones care about the most.  Weve developed a tool that allows us to capture and pass on your whole family wealth, including your Intellectual, Spiritual and Human assets.  I cant go into all of the details here, but well definitely talk about it when you come in for your Life and Legacy Planning Session.