Difference Between Skilled Nursing & Assisted Living Care in Escondido

Are assisted living care and skilled nursing care the same thing? The short answer is no. Whereas skilled nursing offers full-time, hands-on care 24/7/365, assisted living care means residents can live independently with access to assistance when and how it’s needed. 

As you explore which type of senior care is best for you or your loved one in Escondido, California, it’s important to understand the difference. Let’s take a look at some of the additional differences between skilled nursing and assisted living care and how to decide which is the right fit. 

What Is Skilled Nursing Care?

In a skilled nursing setting, residents receive care from certified nurses and nursing assistants whose goal is to create a comfortable balance between resident safety and meaningful engagement. Skilled nursing residents receive daily help with a variety of the activities of daily living (ADLs), including bathing, dressing, eating, going to the bathroom and more. 

Although services can vary among senior living communities, skilled nursing services usually include: 

• Personalized health plans focused on outcomes.
• Education to enhance your recovery.
• Round-the-clock assistance from experienced professionals. 
• Medication management and monitoring, as well as treatment services.
• Customized meals for specific diets.
• Physical, occupational, speech and IV therapy services. 
• Restorative nursing focused on achieving optimal physical function. 
• Respiratory treatment (e.g., oxygen therapy, suctioning, BiPAP/CPAP). 
• Wound management and surgical recovery. 

But skilled nursing communities aren’t just for long-term residents and hospice care—they’re also where patients can recover from a post-acute hospital stay, illness or injury. In fact, short-term rehabilitation services are often an integral part of any skilled nursing program.

What Is Assisted Living?

Residents who choose to be a part of an assisted living community in Escondido maintain their independence but also have access to assistance with daily activities when and how they need it. With spacious private apartments and a range of community amenities and life-enhancing activities, assisted living offers the best of both worlds. 

Every resident receives a personalized daily care plan based on their goals and needs, as well as assistance with the activities of daily living if and when needed. Overall, the goal of assisted living is to support each person as they pursue independent interests and a rich social life on their own schedule. 

Assisted living residents can embrace their independence by meeting friends and family for meals or enjoying in-house live music. Assisted living communities typically offer the following:  

• Life-enriching programs for your mind, body and spirit. 
• Delicious, chef-prepared meals and a variety of dining options.
• Round-the-clock care services. 
• Medication management.
• Personal assistance with bathing, walking, dressing, eating and more.
• Transportation to local attractions and appointments. 
• Housekeeping, linen and maintenance services.

Choosing Skilled Nursing or Assisted Living Care

Deciding how much help is needed isn’t always easy. Today, there are more than 15,000 skilled nursing communities and 28,900 assisted living communities in the United States—40 percent of them in the Western part of the U.S. alone, according to the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL). 

Whether you need extra support with daily tasks or something more, there’s a level of care that’s right for you at Redwood Terrace in the heart of Escondido. As a Life Plan Community, we offer a full range of care options at a predictable cost all on one campus, including: 

• Independent living
• Assisted living
• Skilled nursing
• Memory care

To figure out whether skilled nursing, assisted living or another level of care is right for you or your loved one, start by taking our “Which Senior Living Option is Right for You? quiz. 

Skilled Nursing at Redwood Terrace

At Redwood Terrace in Escondido, our compassionate, expert team works with residents and their families to customize a personal care plan. We treat all of our skilled nursing residents with dignity and respect in a vibrant environment that promotes engagement and interaction. With private and semi-private suites with full baths, we specialize in palliative, long-term and short-term skilled nursing care for post-acute rehabilitation.

Assisted Living at Redwood Terrace

The Redwood Terrace community is filled with unique, compassionate and volunteer-minded residents. Our assisted living care community is available to both our independent living residents should the need arise, as well as to all North County community members through direct admission. Whether you want to mingle with other residents at wine night or spend some time in the library with a good book, you can celebrate your independence with confidence. We offer private residences with full baths and access to numerous community services and amenities.

When you’re ready to take a tour of our beautiful North County campus, just call or email. We can’t wait to speak with you.