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. Knowing what these two options offer will help you assess which one is best for you at this point in your life.
Common Services of Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing
In both environments, the major commonality of care is that residents are assisted with activities of daily living (ADLs) as needed. Those residing in personal care or assisted living community may only need help with a few daily tasks like showering and grooming, or they may require occasional assistance with carrying or moving furniture, putting away groceries or being transported to appointments and events. 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.
Additionally, both skilled nursing facilities and assisted living communities offer common areas for dining and socialization. A schedule of activities and opportunities for social interaction are also offered in both environments, although the variety and nature of recreation and entertainment may differ greatly between the two.
Differences in Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing Care
The main difference between these two options is the level of medical care that residents can receive; however, there are some other important differences to keep in mind:
Depth of Care
Assisted Living: Long-term living community that offers assistance with all activities of daily living such as grooming, toileting, and dressing. Medications are administered by a licensed nurse or medical technician.
Skilled Nursing: Offers short or-long-term care with medical services such as: 24/7 skilled nursing care, rehabilitation services, occupational, physical, speech and respiratory therapies, feeding tube care, IV medication, wound care, and hospice care.
Medical Staff
Assisted Living: On-call RNs and 24/7 LPNs for all nursing services
Skilled Nursing: LPNs available 24/7, RNs available at least 8 hrs. per day, physician-supervision for all medical care
Leisure Opportunities
Assisted Living:
- Wide variety of classes, entertainment, and social events on a regular basis
- Residents are free to pursue on-site and off-site activities as they wish.
Skilled Nursing:
- On-site community activities are offered daily
- Residents who are unable to leave their rooms can have activities brought to them.
Living Space
Assisted Living: Private or semi-private apartment-style living with kitchen, eating area, and bath
Skilled Nursing: Private or semi-private room with a bathroom
Choosing Your Local Senior Living Community
Once you’ve considered your needs and the similarities and differences between assisted living and skilled nursing, consider Paramount Senior Living. Our South Hills and Peters Township locations now offer both assisted living and skilled nursing so that the assistance you need now and the medical care you may need in the future will be available to you in one beautiful location. Call us today to schedule a visit!