What's the difference between assisted living and a nursing home?
Assisted living is non-medical residential care with help for daily activities. Nursing homes (skilled nursing facilities) provide 24-hour licensed nursing care, typical for medically complex post-acute or long-term high-acuity needs.
Assisted living is regulated under Texas HHSC's Assisted Living Facility license. Nursing homes are regulated under separate skilled nursing facility rules and held to different staffing ratios (registered nurses on-site 24/7, for example). Cost reflects this: Houston-area assisted living runs $3,500-$6,500/month; nursing care runs $6,500-$10,000+. Many residents move from assisted living to nursing care only when medical complexity increases beyond what assisted living can provide. Ask any prospective community where they draw the line — some will keep residents through more advanced needs than others.
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