Finding the right quality of care for your loved one is a top priority. But not all senior care options may be the best fit. For short-term rehabilitation or medical care services, a convalescent home may be the right choice.
What’s the Difference Between a Nursing Home and a Convalescent Home?
While some people use “nursing home care” and “convalescent home care” interchangeably, the truth is that they are slightly different services. Although, they both may be offered in the same facility, like a skilled nursing care community. Nursing homes offer around-the-clock, long-term care to residents. Convalescent homes, on the other hand, provide short-term rehabilitation or medical services to short-term patients, with the goal being to discharge people to live healthier, more independent lives.
What is Meant by Convalescent Home?
What they are: Convalescent homes are facilities with skilled staff offering short-term medical services designed to help patients recover after injuries or illnesses.
Sometimes also called:
- Rehabilitation centers
- Rehabilitation facility
Services and amenities:
- Short-term medical care
- Short-term rehabilitation services
2024 national daily median costs:
Are Convalescent Homes Covered by Medicare?
Yes, Medicare can cover costs associated with convalescent homes if the short-term rehabilitation services received are deemed medically necessary by a licensed healthcare provider.
What Services are Typically Provided in a Convalescent Home?
Convalescent home care providers offer inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation and medical care options like occupational therapy, speech therapy, and physical therapy.
What is a Nursing Home?
What they are: Skilled nursing care communities, commonly known as nursing homes, are a type of senior living community offering a high level of care to residents with intense healthcare needs, such as individuals living with late-stage Alzheimer’s disease.
Also called:
- Skilled nursing care facilities
- Skilled nursing facilities
- SNFs
- Skilled nursing communities
Services and amenities:
- 24/7 residential care
2024 national monthly median costs:
Does Medicare Cover Nursing Homes?
Medicare does not cover long-term stays or custodial care services (non-medical care services, such as assistance with activities of daily living) received in skilled nursing care communities.
However, Medicare may cover short-term stays in these communities after a hospital stay, if deemed medically necessary and part of an effort to help the person recover well enough to be discharged later.
Other Senior Living Options
Other popular senior living and elder care options include:
- Assisted living communities: Offer assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), like bathing, grooming, and toileting.
- Memory care communities: Offer long-term residential care services for older adults living with cognitive impairment or memory loss, such as people living with dementia.
- Short-term respite care services: Offer temporary stays to older adults whose family caregivers need a break from caretaking responsibilities.
- Independent living communities: Retirement communities full of older people who do not need assistance with daily tasks; instead, they want to live with peers and perhaps have their home maintenance taken care of.
Convalescent Homes vs Respite Care vs Independent Living
| Convalescent Homes | Respite Care Services | Independent Living | |
| Type of care | Short-term rehabilitation services | Short-term personal care | Long-term upkeep and maintenance-free living in a retirement community |
| Covered by Medicare? | Yes, medically necessary, short-term rehabilitation services are covered | Yes (only if recipient is enrolled in hospice care, under Part A benefits) | No |
| Best for | Older adults recovering from an illness or injury | Family members who need a break from caregiving responsibilities | Older adults who want to live among peers without house maintenance responsibilities |
How Do I Choose the Right Convalescent Home for a Loved One?
Choosing the right senior living community or rehabilitation option like a convalescent home is a major decision; it’s not one for your loved one or the entire family to take lightly. When considering the best senior care options for your aging relative, keep in mind factors like:
- Medical needs and personal care needs. What level of care does your loved one need? Will they need minor assistance with day-to-day tasks, or can they live independently but want the benefits of living communally? Do they require 24/7 care, or do they need intensive short-term services only?
- Budget. How much money can your family realistically put towards care every month? Does your loved one have long-term care insurance? Does the community your family is interested in accept Medicaid?
- Options in your area. Not all senior living options are available in every area. Research which senior living options are available near your loved one to get a better idea of your options.
- Talk to a provider. Call the senior living options in your area to set up a tour, so you and your loved one can truly get a feel for the community.
Disclaimer: Each person’s situation is unique. This article is for general informational purposes only. It does not substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have about a medical condition.