Skilled Nursing

While many assume Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing Facilities (or Nursing Homes) are similar, there are significant differences. Assisted Living residents are relatively independent, even while needing assistance with daily living tasks. Skilled Nursing residents often need around-the-clock medical care, rehabilitation therapy, and ongoing help with most daily living activities. The care provided in a Skilled Nursing facility is delivered by trained nursing professionals (RNs, LPNs, and CNAs). In contrast, staff members in Assisted Living are not required to have that level of medical training.

While Skilled Nursing and Memory Care facilities share many features, there’s one significant difference: Memory Care facilities focus specifically on those with memory loss or conditions such as Alzheimer’s or Dementia. For seniors experiencing memory loss, special care is required to handle symptoms such as behavior changes and to preserve cognitive skills as long as possible. In addition, Memory Care patients generally require more security to prevent them from wandering off, which may include more controlled forms of entry/exit access. Staff members are specifically trained on these details, and residents often get more one-on-one time with staff. Skilled Nursing residents are also dealing with major medical conditions or situations requiring the attention of medical professionals.