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What Is the Difference Between Assisted Living & Skilled Nursing?

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4 older adults standing and smiling at the camera in a senior living community.

Choosing the right care for a loved one is a journey full of hope, concern, and love. It’s the key to helping them maintain the lifestyle they love. But there isn’t just one type of senior living—there are plenty of different options, like assisted living and skilled nursing.

Skilled nursing provides hospital-style care in a home-like setting. It’s designed to provide advanced healthcare services in a comfortable environment. Meanwhile, assisted living fosters an environment based on promoting independence and maintaining a simpler lifestyle.

What Is Skilled Nursing?

Skilled nursing communities focus on medical care. It provides intensive healthcare services to older adults in need of constant supervision due to complex medical conditions. These communities are staffed with medical professionals, like registered nurses and licensed therapists, to provide around-the-clock support.

The skilled nursing lifestyle is designed around managing complicated medical conditions or recoveries. These communities also offer everyday support for daily activities. It’s an excellent way to help a senior loved one living with complex medical needs.

Who Is Skilled Nursing For?

Skilled nursing is ideal for older adults recovering from surgery or illness. It also helps those living with a chronic medical condition that makes everyday life a challenge.

This lifestyle helps older adults with conditions like:

  • Stroke or traumatic injury
  • Heart disease management 
  • Severe arthritis or pain
  • Respiratory illnesses 

Typically, skilled nursing is ideal for situations where traditional care can’t quite meet your loved one’s needs. It’s a residential lifestyle that provides a safe space with access to around-the-clock medical care.

What Is Assisted Living?

However, what if your loved one doesn’t need access to advanced healthcare? What if they just need some support with their everyday activities, or are looking for a simpler, more maintenance-free life?

If this is the case, assisted living can help. This is a residential option for older adults who need some everyday help but still want to stay independent where possible. Assisted living communities offer services like healthcare, housekeeping, and personal support to make your loved one’s life simpler and more convenient.

Assisted living focuses on safety, dignity, and quality of life. These communities are built to help your loved one when they need it so they can maintain their lifestyle. Whether they need a hand with bathing, grooming, or managing their medication, assisted living can help. The care plans are built to meet your loved one’s unique needs in a way that makes a true difference. 

The Benefits of Assisted Living

Assisted living combines the freedom of independent living with the support needed for everyday activities. It’s a careful blend of autonomy and professional support. The move to independent living is an excellent choice for older adults in need.

This lifestyle offers plenty of benefits. Here at The Enclave of Franklin, residents enjoy easy access to:

  • Chef-prepared meals
  • Scheduled classes
  • Exercise programs
  • Plenty of events and experiences
  • An on-site fitness center
  • Maintenance-free living
  • Social opportunities

It’s a vibrant community where our residents can thrive. There are plenty of opportunities for personal growth and social engagement. Our focus is on making every day enjoyable, convenient, and fulfilling—just like your loved one deserves.

Who Should Move to Assisted Living?

Assisted living is a great option for those who want to stay independent but could use a little help. Ideally, residents can manage most everyday tasks on their own, but benefit from a supportive team of compassionate caregivers.

A group of older adults in the dining area of an assisted living community, smiling and getting ready to eat breakfast together.

It’s particularly helpful for older adults who:

  • Are over the age of 65 (this may vary)
  • Needs some everyday support
  • Wants a simpler, maintenance-free lifestyle
  • Would benefit from new social opportunities

However, assisted living communities rarely offer access to around-the-clock healthcare. While some communities have visiting nurses or doctors to help residents with unique needs, residents should be medically and cognitively stable.

If your loved one can stay mostly independent in their everyday life but needs some support, assisted living is an incredible choice. If they require access to more advanced medical care, skilled nursing may be the solution. 

Find the Right Assisted Living Community

Choosing the right senior living community is the first step to helping a loved one in need. Assisted living offers a great solution, and it can help your loved one maintain the life they love. Your loved one deserves a life of compassion, support, and love, and our team at The Enclave of Franklin is ready to help.

In our community, we offer all kinds of events, experiences, and amenities designed to make every day unique. We’re happy to support every one of our residents, and we’re here for your family. Schedule a visit with us today, or contact our team to learn more!

Written by
Christina Dolan

More Articles By
Christina Dolan
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