One of the questions that we here at Choice Senior Care Navigators get asked almost everyday goes something like this…”What is the difference between skilled nursing, assisted living, and memory care communities?”

If this question has crossed your mind, you are not alone!  Here is some clarification:

Assisted Living: Provides assistance with grooming, bathing, tolieting, and medication management, just to name a few!  In addition to providing these personal care services, assisted living communities also provide 3 meals a day, plus snacks, and offer a wide variety of activities that residents can participate in if they choose.

Assisted living communities are generally more aesthetically appealing that skilled nursing facilities, and they are also less costly.  However, not all accept Medicaid and even if they do, there is a income cap that must be met to qualify for Medicaid (also called Special Assistance).

Memory Care: Provides all the same services as an assisted living community, but also has staff specially trained to work with residents who are cognitively impaired.  Additionally, memory care buildings are secure, to insure that residents do not wander out the door and become confused about their surroundings.

Memory care communities are more costly than assisted living communities.  This is due, in part, to a lower caregiver-to-resident ratio.  Memory care residents require more hands on care an attention, and the price reflects that difference.  Some memory care communities do accept Medicaid, but there is also an income cap requirement that must be met to qualify.

Skilled Nursing Facilities: The majority of residents in a Skilled Nursing Facility are there for physical rehabilitation after a hospital stay.  These rehab stays are paid for by Medicare, but after the Medicare days are used up, the patient is responsible for paying for care.

Long-term residents of skilled nursing facilities are individuals who have a medical condition requiring 24-hour nursing care.  Examples would be a feeding tube or being bed bound.  Skilled nursing facilities are quite expensive, costing upwards of $70,000+ per year.  Medicaid will help pay for care, and there is no income cap, but your assets must be less than $2000.

If you have further questions about finding the right care, call Choice Senior Care Navigators today!