When a loved one needs more support, families often start by asking what type of care is actually required. Two terms that frequently cause confusion are skilled nursing facilities and assisted living communities. Though they may seem interchangeable, these are distinctly different levels of care, and choosing the right one affects everything from daily life to monthly costs.
For families in Amarillo, TX, researching options for a loved one, this guide from The Legacy at Town Square breaks down how skilled nursing compares to assisted living and memory care to support an informed decision.
What Is a Skilled Nursing Facility?
A skilled nursing facility (SNF), sometimes called a nursing home, provides round-the-clock medical care for patients recovering from surgery, illness, or injury. Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) are on duty at all times, and a registered nurse (RN) is available at least eight hours per day.
Skilled nursing in Amarillo is typically a short-term option. Most patients stay until they can return to living independently or transition to a less intensive setting. Because of the medical staffing required, it is one of the more costly forms of senior care.
Common services at a skilled nursing facility include:
- IV therapies and medications
- Wound treatment
- Regular vital sign monitoring
- Respiratory therapy and ventilator care
- Occupational, physical, and speech therapy
- End-of-life and hospice care
Skilled nursing care is often covered by Medicare, Medicaid, or long-term care insurance, which reflects the medical intensity of the services provided.
What Is Assisted Living?
Assisted living is a long-term housing option for adults who want to maintain independence but need help with activities of daily living (ADLs): bathing, dressing, and medication management, among others. Caregivers are available around the clock, but assisted living communities are not staffed to provide the medically intensive care found in skilled nursing.
Residents have their own living space, typically a private or semi-private apartment, along with access to shared common areas, dining, programming, and wellness services.
Common services in assisted living include:
- Help with ADLs (bathing, dressing, grooming)
- Medication management
- Three daily meals
- Housekeeping and laundry services
- Transportation to appointments
- Social programs and wellness activities
Residents typically pay out of pocket for assisted living, though some communities accept long-term care insurance, VA benefits, or Medicaid waiver programs depending on the state.
How Do the Costs Compare in Amarillo?
Cost is often one of the first factors families consider. In the Amarillo metropolitan area, here is how monthly costs break down in 2025, according to CareScout:
- Assisted living community: $5,533 per month
- Semi-private nursing home room: $6,235 per month
- Private nursing home room: $8,349 per month
The cost difference reflects the level of medical staffing involved. Skilled nursing requires licensed nurses on-site around the clock, along with therapists, medical directors, and other clinical team members.
Assisted Living vs. Skilled Nursing: Which Is Right for a Loved One?
The right choice depends on a person’s medical needs, not their age or diagnosis alone.
When Assisted Living May Be the Better Fit
Assisted living works well for adults who:
- Need help with two or more activities of daily living
- Want an independent lifestyle with support available
- Do not require continuous nursing care or medical intervention
- Benefit from social programming, meals, and a residential setting
Assisted living does not require a physician’s order for admission. Many communities, including those offering memory care, can accommodate increasing care needs over time through tiered care plans.
When a Skilled Nursing Facility May Be More Appropriate
A skilled nursing facility is typically a better fit for individuals who:
- Were recently discharged from the hospital following a stroke, surgery, or cardiac event
- Need wound care, IV therapy, or ventilator support
- Require physical, occupational, or speech therapy multiple times per week
- Have complex medical conditions that require 24-hour licensed nursing supervision
Admission to a skilled nursing facility requires a physician’s order.
A Word on Memory Care
For seniors living with Alzheimer’s or dementia, memory care is a distinct program, not the same as skilled nursing. Memory care communities offer secured settings, consistent routines, and team members specifically trained to support residents with cognitive changes.
At The Legacy at Town Square in Amarillo, TX, memory care is delivered through the Connections program. Built on three guiding principles — Connect, Move, and Learn — this evidence-based program uses neuroplasticity techniques to keep residents with dementia active and involved in daily life. Programming is individualized and therapeutic, designed to support each resident’s strengths.
Memory care residents do not require physician orders for admission and are not in a clinical recovery setting. It is a residential, person-centered approach to dementia care.
About The Legacy at Town Square
The Legacy at Town Square is a Pegasus Senior Living community in Amarillo, TX, offering assisted living and memory care. The community provides personalized care plans, chef-prepared meals, outdoor patios, a library, activity and game rooms, and 24-hour team member support. For families in Amarillo considering alternatives to skilled nursing, The Legacy at Town Square is worth visiting. Respite care is also available as a short-term option for families in transition.
Frequently Asked Questions
These two terms are generally used interchangeably. Both refer to settings that provide around-the-clock medical and nursing care, typically for patients recovering from a hospital stay or managing complex health conditions.
Medicare does not cover the costs of assisted living. It primarily covers hospital stays and short-term skilled nursing care following a hospitalization. Veterans and their spouses may qualify for Aid and Attendance benefits through the VA to help offset assisted living costs.
If a resident’s medical needs exceed what assisted living can provide, such as needing wound care, IV therapy, or intensive rehabilitation, a transition to a skilled nursing facility may be appropriate. Many families choose assisted living first and adjust the plan as needs change.
Memory care is a residential setting designed specifically for seniors with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Skilled nursing is a medically intensive setting focused on recovery and clinical care. A senior with dementia who does not have complex medical needs is often better suited to memory care than to a skilled nursing facility.
In 2025, the median monthly cost for assisted living in the Amarillo metropolitan area was $5,533, according to CareScout. This typically includes housing, meals, personal care, and programming.
Making the Right Call for a Loved One
Choosing between skilled nursing, assisted living, and memory care is one of the most consequential decisions a family will face. The answer comes down to the type and level of care a person needs.
Skilled nursing is the right choice for short-term, medically intensive recovery. Assisted living supports long-term independence with personalized help. Memory care, like the Connections program at The Legacy at Town Square, addresses the needs of seniors living with dementia through consistent, individualized support.
For families weighing options in Amarillo, TX, speaking with a team member at The Legacy at Town Square is a good starting point.
See The Legacy at Town Square for Yourself
The Legacy at Town Square in Amarillo, TX, offers assisted living and memory care designed around each resident’s needs. To ask questions or arrange a tour, contact us today.