While it may be common for people to use the term “nursing home” to refer to all types of senior living, there are key differences between nursing homes and other long-term care options. Nursing homes and skilled nursing care typically have a very specific clientele who require specialized care, while long-term care options are generally broader and accommodate seniors in a variety of circumstances of life. Understanding the differences between nursing homes and long-term care options can help you discover the type of care that may fit your loved one’s unique needs.
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Long-term care encompasses a range of senior support services, while a nursing home is a place. There are five key factors that differentiate long-term care options from skilled nursing options.
Long-term care may be offered in a community, as in the case of assisted living, residential care homes, and memory care. It can also be offered in a senior’s home through home care options.
Unlike long-term care, a skilled nursing facility only offers care on-site in their community. Keep in mind that even though people sometimes use the terms “skilled nursing facility” and “nursing home” interchangeably, there are differences between those two types of care.
Long-term care generally focuses on providing nonmedical care to assist residents or clients with activities of daily living. This care category may support an individual’s day-to-day needs by offering help with housekeeping, meal preparation, and personal hygiene. Long-term care communities and in-home care may have some medical professionals on their staffs, but the overall level of medical care and support is significantly less intensive than what’s available in nursing homes.
Nursing homes typically provide a higher level of medical care than long-term care and have skilled nursing staff available around the clock to assist with complex needs and provide necessary supervision. In these communities, specialized medical services — skilled nursing, medication management, wound care, physical therapy — may be available to residents through on-site or contract providers.
Long-term care generally offers a less restrictive environment and allows for more independence for active seniors. For example, home care can offer seniors the opportunity to receive nonmedical care in the comfort of their home on their schedule. Older adults can typically tailor home care support to their personal needs and preferences, as well.
In addition, assisted living communities and residential care homes may allow residents to have input on their daily schedule or even bring their pet to a community. These long-term care types typically offer optional social activities on-site and also give residents the freedom to attend off-site activities, such as religious services or family functions. This care category may be a good fit for people who need support with daily activities but don’t require extensive supervision or specialized medical support.
Nursing homes are generally a better fit for people with complex medical conditions, people who need 24/7 medical care, and people recovering from a serious surgery or other injuries. While these communities continue to promote resident independence, the residents generally need more support than their peers living in long-term care or receiving long-term care at home. Because of this, nursing environments may be more restrictive and less flexible than long-term care options.
Long-term care can be used for short-term, temporary, or extended timeframes. Older adults may start with using home care services and then transition to an assisted living community or memory care community when their care needs increase. The median stay at an assisted living community is almost two years, while the average length of a memory care stay is two to 10 years.[01] Seniors may use long-term care over a matter of years — or even a decade — when long-term care options are combined.
Unlike long-term care, nursing home stays are typically brief, being measured in months instead of years. In fact, the median nursing home stay is only five months.[02] It’s important to consider that some residents may stay temporarily after a surgery or an injury, while others may stay in the nursing home for the reminder of their life.
Long-term care options are generally cheaper than nursing home care. For example, the cost of a residential care home per month is typically half of the cost of a nursing home per month. The same is generally true when assisted living community and nursing home prices are compared.
View the chart below to learn more about cost comparisons between long-term care and nursing homes. Data is based upon A Place for Mom’s proprietary partner information and the Genworth Cost of Care Survey.[03,04]
| Type of care | Median cost per month |
|---|---|
| Long-term care | |
| Assisted living | $4,640 (2022) |
| Residential care home | $5,800 (2022) |
| Memory care | $4,000 (2022) |
| Nursing home | |
| Nursing home, private room | $8,910 (2021) |
| Nursing home, semi-private room | $7,800 (2021) |
Note: The Genworth Cost of Care Survey, which typically calculates median nursing home costs, was not available for 2022. Based upon previous pricing trends, current nursing home staff shortages, and the inflation, nursing home costs are likely to continue to rise over time. Pricing may vary by location, market demand, cost of living, and other factors. The above pricing is for informational purposes only.
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If you feel that a nursing home wouldn’t meet your loved one’s unique situation and needs, there are many other options available to support your loved one as they age.
If your loved one is able to remain safely in their home, prefers to receive care in their home, or is an introvert, they may do well with home care. Home care typically involves a caregiver coming to a senior’s home to help with nonmedical activities, such as personal hygiene, light cleaning, shopping, and cooking.
If your loved one is relatively healthy and enjoys socializing, an assisted living community may be a good fit. On a large campus, they can find ways to stay active through clubs, fitness activities, and social events.
While an assisted living community may be a fit for seniors who love to socialize, smaller and more intimate residential care homes can be better for seniors who wish to have a close-knit friend group and a homelike atmosphere.
If your loved one has received a dementia diagnosis, they may benefit from the specialized care and person-centered design offered in a memory care community.
Read related article:Skilled Nursing Facility vs. Rehab Center: How to Choose
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When you need help for your loved one now, it can be challenging and time-consuming to navigate the senior living industry on your own. The knowledgeable Senior Living Advisors at A Place for Mom can help you understand what long-term care options may fit your loved one’s unique circumstances and specific considerations. They can assist you with finding local communities within your budget, and even set up tours — all at no cost to your family.
American Health Care Association. Facts and figures.
Kelly, A., Conell-Price, J., Covinsky, K., Cenzer, I.S., Chang, A., Boscardin, W.J., & Smith, A.K. (2010, August 24). Lengths of stay for older adults residing in nursing homes at the end of life. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
A Place for Mom. (2022). A Place for Mom Proprietary Senior Living Price Index.
Genworth. (2022, February 7.) Cost of Care Trends and Insights.
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