it is helpful to know the differences between hospitals and skilled nursing facilities.

Hospitals vs SNF

Skilled Nursing facilities are for people who can’t safely take care of themselves at home. Someone getting care at a skilled nursing facility is called a “resident.” A resident may stay at a skilled nursing facility for weeks, months, or years. Some residents consider the skilled nursing facility their home, so it may seem more casual than a hospital. You may be moved to a skilled nursing facility if you are healing from an illness or injury, if you need special care, or if you can’t safely take care of yourself at home.

Someone getting care at a hospital is called a “patient.” Hospitals are for people who are very sick. A patient usually stays at a hospital for only a short period of time. People may go to a hospital if they suddenly get very sick, if their lives are in danger, or if they need special care that a skilled nursing facility can’t
give them.