When it comes to healthcare services for older adults or individuals with complex medical needs, two terms often come up: skilled care and long-term care. While they may seem similar at first glance, they actually serve different purposes, are delivered in different settings, and are funded in different ways. Understanding the distinctions can help families make informed decisions when care needs arise. Pleasant View Home is able to accommodate both needs, help families navigate the decision-making process, and offer assistance working through all the paperwork and billing questions you may have.
What Is Skilled Care?
Skilled care refers to medically necessary services provided by licensed health professionals. This includes registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists. Skilled care is typically short-term and designed to help a patient recover from an illness, injury, or surgery. We work closely with our rehab partners, Select Rehabilitation, to get all of our skilled residents able to successfully transition back home.
Common examples of skilled care include:
- Wound care after surgery
- Intravenous (IV) therapy
- Physical therapy to regain mobility after a stroke
- Monitoring and management of serious health conditions like heart failure or diabetes
- Speech therapy after a swallowing disorder diagnosis
Skilled care is usually provided in settings such as:
- Skilled nursing facilities (often within a nursing home)
- Inpatient rehabilitation centers
- Some specialized home health care programs
Payment: Medicare, private insurance, or other health plans often cover skilled care if the patient meets certain qualifications. Our in-house Financial Coordinator, Terri Rodriquez, is available to help all of our families with the questions, paperwork, and financial issues associated with staying with us.
Key point: Skilled care is focused on recovery and rehabilitation, not ongoing daily support.
What Is Long-Term Care?
Long-term care, on the other hand, is designed for people who need help with activities of daily living (ADLs) over an extended period of time. These activities include bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, and mobility. Long-term care can also include help with medication management and general supervision for safety reasons.
Pleasant View Home offers traditional rooms located on neighborhoods that are staffed round the clock by staff who are committed to their neighborhood. This allows for the residents and their families to form strong bonds and relationships with the caregivers. We also offer households, or smaller neighborhoods that are very homelike in their design. The households prepare and serve their own meals, and are limited to 12 beds each. These highly sought-after accommodations are wait-listed, but if you’d like to get you or your loved one on the list, email our administrator Michelle Neufeld.
Common examples of long-term care include:
- Assistance with personal hygiene and grooming
- Help with getting in and out of bed
- Support with meal preparation and feeding
- Managing medications and basic health monitoring
- Supervision for individuals with memory loss, such as Alzheimer’s or dementia
Long-term care is provided in a variety of settings:
- Nursing homes
- Assisted living facilities
- Residential care homes
- At home with the help of personal care aides or family caregivers
Payment: Unlike skilled care, long-term care is typically not covered by Medicare. Most people pay out of pocket, use long-term care insurance, or qualify for Medicaid assistance. Our Financial Coordinator, Terri Rodriquez, is ready to help you explore your options and answer your questions.
Key point: Long-term care focuses on ongoing support with daily living, rather than short-term medical recovery.
A Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Skilled Care | Long-Term Care |
| Purpose | Recovery and rehabilitation | Daily support and supervision |
| Provided By | Licensed medical professionals | Personal care aides, nurses |
| Setting | Skilled nursing facilities, rehab centers, home health | Nursing homes, assisted living, at-home care |
| Duration | Short-term (weeks to months) | Long-term (months to years) |
| Payment | Often covered by Medicare/insurance | Typically out-of-pocket, Medicaid |
Why the Distinction Matters
Choosing between skilled care and long-term care depends on a person’s medical needs and goals. If someone is recovering from surgery or a hospitalization, skilled care might be the right fit. If they need help with everyday activities indefinitely, long-term care is likely the better choice.
Families often find themselves moving between these services — for example, a loved one might start with a short stay in skilled care and then transition into long-term care if ongoing assistance is needed.
Final Thoughts
Navigating healthcare options can be overwhelming, but understanding the difference between skilled care and long-term care is a crucial first step. If you’re planning for yourself or a loved one, it’s important to assess current needs, anticipate future changes, and explore all available resources. Pleasant View Home is ready to answer your questions and help you through the process.
We’d love to give you a tour of our home and introduce you to our caregivers and staff. Call us at 620.585.6411 to schedule your personal tour or email us.
Always remember: the right care can make a tremendous difference in quality of life.
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