From 2010 to 2019, there was an increase of 13.8 million senior citizens in the US, for a total of 54.1 million. If you’re a millennial, then it’s very likely that your own parents are seniors or will be very soon.
In that case, you’ll want to plan ahead and know the options available for assistance. That way, you can help them transition smoothly and adjust to having someone other than family assisting them.
In this article, we’ll discuss assisted living vs skilled nursing so you can determine which one’s best for your loved one.
What Is Assisted Living?
Assisted living is where your parent would go to a senior community but still live independently. This is great for the elderly who are still active and don’t have many serious health issues.
Assisted living allows senior citizens to live with others their own age so they’re not lonely. And the facilities offer different levels of care from their staff (not 24/7 care though).
Your loved one can get help with things like eating, bathing, and basic hygiene.
What Is Skilled Nursing?
Skilled nursing is similar to assisted living, except it’s intended for the elderly who need more care. A skilled nursing facility offers round-the-clock care, especially for those who have recently gone through surgery and/or have declining health.
These facilities will help seniors with walking and standing, as well as physical rehabilitation. These include speech and occupational therapy.
Assisted Living vs Skilled Nursing
Both assisted living and skilled nursing homes will give their residences the proper care they need, including socialization and fun activities. They offer communities where seniors can live with peers and make new friends in the process. However, the biggest difference between them is the type of medical care needed.
An assisted living Middletown home (or one wherever required) is optimal for those who are still independent for the most part. They’ll only need some assistance with daily activities and maybe some help remembering to take medications. Basically, the staff is there as a safety net should they need help.
A skilled nursing home is better for those who require 24/7 care and are recovering and/or are suffering from medical conditions that impact their lives. Because there’s so much medical care involved, most will accept insurance, as well as Medicaid and Medicare. On the other hand, some assisted living facilities accept Medicaid while most are private pay only.
Get Your Loved One the Help They Need
Now you know the nuances between assisted living vs skilled nursing. There’s no right or wrong answer when it comes to getting your loved one help. Instead, it’s up to you and them to assess the situation and determine what the best step forward is!
So it’s worth sitting down and discussing your options. If you feel like your loved one needs round-the-clock care, then you’ll probably get peace of mind with a skilled nursing home. Otherwise, assisted living can be excellent for them if they’re still in relatively good health!
If you need more advice on making difficult decisions in life, then make sure you read some more of our blog posts.
