The two main differences between Assisted Living /Personal Care and Skilled Nursing are the level of assistance or help one can receive. The second is payment options. AL/PCH is all private pay, while SNF and LTC can be supplemented by insurance.
If you need skilled nursing in Western Pennsylvania, it might be challenging to know where to start. Finding a caregiver may become tedious and perplexing due to the variety of alternatives, pricing structures, and features. You’re not alone, and we’re here to help.
Read on if you or your loved one needs care. The following are the leading differences between assisted living and skilled nursing.
Cost
Skilled nursing services are more intensive and thus more expensive than assisted living facilities. Skilled nursing offers 24-hour medical care that you or your loved one requires in the comfort of their own homes.
Medicaid and long-term care insurance are two choices for those requiring skilled nursing care. Long-term care: As essential as financial considerations are, they should not be your only factor when deciding what level of care is necessary.
Duration of Stay
It’s important to remember that “short-term” refers to a 90-day or less time frame. Those needing short-term care mostly require professional nursing, while those needing long-term care require assistance with daily functioning. Patients recently discharged from the hospital or who have seen a sudden downturn in their health typically require skilled nursing care. Assisted living can also provide this service if you want to leave your home.
Necessity
Choosing skilled nursing or assisted living depends on the level of care needed.
Nursing care might include daily therapy, intravenous medicine, or even artificial respiration if necessary (for instance, a ventilator). Assisted living typically helps those who need assistance with everyday tasks. Most commonly, those who decide to live in an assisted living facility will require:
- Assistance during bathing, dressing, eating
- Medical care for people with mental illnesses (depression or isolation)
- Prescriptions
- Managing one’s finances (remembering to pay bills)
A skilled nursing provider may serve as an interim solution before moving to an assisted living facility. Ask your doctor if skilled nursing is proper for you.
Personnel Accessible On-Site
A certified nurse is available in a skilled nursing arrangement at least eight hours a day, seven days a week. Whereas at an assisted living facility, licensed registered nurses must be on-call but are not required by law to be on-site. Quality Life Services has skilled nurses always ready if you or a loved one needs regular access to medical personnel from your home.
Insurance Coverage
Most skilled nursing companies, like Quality Life Services, participate in Medicaid or Medicare programs. Health insurance and Medicare programs are rarely used to cover assisted living costs.
Even though some long-lasting care insurance plans may cover assisted living costs, most people pay for it out of pocket. Medicaid covers assisted living care in some areas, but every state has different conditions and coverage, so it’s essential to remember this. Call us today to learn more about your options.
Get the Right Care at Quality Life Services
A person’s health directly correlates to their surroundings. When you have narrowed your options to assisted living or skilled nursing, tour the selected communities and ask yourself, “Is this where I want to live?” Then, consider how much happier you or your loved one may feel spending this time in the comfort of your home. Lifestyle must be considered when choosing between assisted living and skilled nursing.
Quality Life Services offers high-quality skilled nursing services at the most affordable deals to help our customers save money. Schedule your appointment to consult us about skilled nursing services today.
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