What's the difference between assisted living and a nursing home?
Short answer: Assisted living helps with daily tasks like bathing, dressing, medications and meals in a residential setting. A nursing home (skilled nursing facility) provides 24-hour nursing care and is often used for short-term rehab after a hospital stay.
How to decide
The right setting depends on medical needs, mobility, memory and budget. If your loved one needs daily skilled nursing or therapy, a skilled nursing facility may fit. If they mainly need help with daily activities, assisted living or memory care may fit better. Ask the doctor or hospital discharge planner what level of care they recommend, and talk with us. Our help is free to families.
General information, not medical, legal or financial advice. Rules and amounts change; confirm with the official source.
More questions
- Does Medicare pay for a nursing home?
- What is Medicare's 3-day rule for skilled nursing?
- How much does Medicare pay for rehab in a nursing home?
- Does Medicare pay for assisted living or memory care?
- What is VA Aid and Attendance?
- How do I check a nursing home's rating and inspections?
- My parent is being discharged from the hospital and can't go home alone. What now?