Nursing Home vs Skilled Nursing Facility - Explained

For physical therapy professionals and practice owners, understanding the skilled nursing facility vs nursing home distinction is crucial for optimizing patient care, streamlining workflows, and ensuring effective rehabilitation outcomes. Many patients transition between different care settings, and knowing how to navigate these environments can significantly impact the quality of care delivered.

This article will break down the key differences between nursing homes vs assisted living vs skilled nursing facilities, explain their roles in rehabilitation, and explore how to maximize efficiency in these settings.

Understanding the Differences: Skilled Nursing Facility vs Nursing Home vs Assisted Living

1. What is a Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF)?

A skilled nursing facility (SNF) is a short-term rehabilitation and medical care center for patients recovering from hospital stays due to illnesses, surgeries, or injuries. These facilities are staffed with registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and therapists (physical, occupational, and speech) under the supervision of physicians.

Key Features of an SNF:

• Provides short-term rehabilitation services.
• Patients are recovering from hospitalization, surgery, or serious illness.
• Staffed with licensed medical professionals for 24/7 care.
• Offers physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy.
• Covered by Medicare Part A for up to 100 days (if criteria are met).
• Patients typically return home or transition to an assisted living or nursing home after recovery.
  
  

2. What is a Nursing Home?

A nursing home is a long-term residential facility for individuals who require ongoing care and assistance with daily living but do not necessarily need intensive medical treatments. These facilities focus more on custodial care rather than rehabilitation.

Key Features of a Nursing Home:

• Primarily for long-term residents who need assistance with daily activities (bathing, dressing, eating, etc.).
• May have limited medical staff, but not the same intensive medical care as an SNF.
• Focuses on general well-being and daily support rather than rehabilitation.
• Not covered by Medicare (except for medical treatments within the facility), but may be covered by Medicaid or private insurance.
  
  

3. What is Assisted Living?

An assisted living facility is a residential community designed for semi-independent seniors who need some assistance with daily activities but do not require skilled nursing care.

Key Features of Assisted Living:

• Provides help with daily living activities but minimal medical supervision.
• Offers a community environment with social activities and support.
• Residents are mobile and do not require full-time medical supervision.
• Typically paid out-of-pocket or through long-term care insurance.
  
  

Comparing Nursing Home vs Assisted Living vs Skilled Nursing Facility:

The Role of Physical Therapy in SNFs and Nursing Homes

For physical therapy professionals, working in skilled nursing facilities vs nursing homes requires different approaches:

Physical Therapy in Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs)

Physical therapy in skilled nursing facilities is primarily focused on post-hospitalization rehabilitation. Patients in SNFs often require intensive therapy after experiencing a stroke, undergoing surgery, or recovering from a serious injury. The primary goal in these cases is to help patients regain strength, mobility, and independence so they can safely transition back home or to a lower level of care. 

Therapy sessions in SNFs are more rigorous, with patients often participating in up to three hours of therapy per day across multiple disciplines, including physical, occupational, and speech therapy. Treatment plans are designed to restore functional movement, improve balance, enhance muscle strength, and prevent complications that could lead to readmission to the hospital. 

Due to the medical complexity of many SNF patients, physical therapists must work closely with physicians, nurses, and other rehabilitation specialists to ensure a comprehensive and coordinated approach to care.

Physical Therapy in Nursing Homes

In contrast, physical therapy in nursing homes is typically less intensive and focuses more on maintaining mobility and preventing physical decline rather than aggressive rehabilitation. Residents in nursing homes often have chronic conditions that require ongoing management rather than short-term recovery plans. As a result, therapy sessions are generally less frequent and less demanding compared to those in SNFs. 

Therapists working in nursing homes commonly incorporate gentle strength training, balance exercises, and fall prevention strategies to help residents maintain their ability to perform daily activities. While some nursing home residents receive therapy regularly, others may only engage in therapy on an as-needed basis based on a physician’s orders. 

Physical therapists also play a crucial role in managing long-term conditions such as arthritis, Parkinson’s disease, and other degenerative disorders, helping residents maintain their quality of life and independence as much as possible.

Challenges in Managing Physical Therapy Across Different Settings

Physical therapists working in SNFs, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities often face these common challenges:

• Coordination with multiple providers: Physicians, nurses, and other therapists must align treatment plans.
• Regulatory compliance: Medicare documentation requirements can be time-consuming.
• Patient tracking and scheduling: Managing treatment across multiple patients and facilities can be difficult.
• Data accuracy: Recording and sharing patient progress with care teams requires efficient systems.
  
  

How PtEverywhere Can Streamline Physical Therapy in These Settings

PtEverywhere is a comprehensive physical therapy software that helps streamline workflows for professionals working in nursing homes, skilled nursing facilities, and assisted living settings.

Key Benefits:

• Seamless Documentation: Easily track therapy progress and compliance with Medicare requirements.
• Automated Scheduling: Coordinate patient sessions across multiple facilities effortlessly.
• Secure Telehealth Capabilities: Offer virtual check-ins for home-based rehabilitation or assisted living patients.
• Real-Time Data Sharing: Share treatment plans and patient progress with other healthcare providers.
• Billing and Insurance Support: Simplifies claims management for Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance.
• Patient Engagement Tools: Provide custom exercise programs for ongoing therapy at home or in assisted living.

By integrating PtEverywhere into your practice, you can enhance patient care, reduce administrative burdens, and improve coordination across different settings.

Conclusion: Making the Right Choice for Physical Therapy Services

For physical therapy professionals, understanding the nuances of skilled nursing facility vs nursing home vs assisted living is essential for providing the best care. Skilled nursing facilities are the most intensive rehab setting, while nursing homes focus on long-term custodial care, and assisted living provides minimal medical supervision with a focus on independent living.

By leveraging PtEverywhere, physical therapists can streamline patient management, improve documentation accuracy, and enhance treatment coordination across multiple care settings. Whether working in an SNF, nursing home, or assisted living facility, having the right tools can make all the difference in delivering high-quality patient outcomes.

Discover how PtEverywhere can help streamline your physical therapy practice, try out PtEverywhere today!