Nursing homes are licensed under a separate Texas rule chapter from assisted living and provide 24-hour licensed nursing care for higher medical acuity. Nursing homes also carry federal CMS star ratings through Medicare's Care Compare tool; assisted living facilities are not rated by that system at all.
The distinction that matters
The two license types exist for genuinely different populations, even though families sometimes use the terms loosely in conversation. Nursing homes handle medically complex needs requiring licensed nursing staff around the clock, including short-term rehabilitation after a hospital stay, while assisted living is designed for residents who need help with daily activities but not ongoing skilled nursing intervention. A resident whose medical needs exceed what an assisted living facility's Type A or Type B license permits will need to transition to a nursing home setting -- ask any assisted living community directly what that transition process looks like and whether they have a nursing home partner they typically work with.
Related questions
- Is independent living licensed the same way as assisted living in Texas?
- How is memory care different from standard assisted living in Fort Worth?
- When does in-home care make more financial sense than assisted living in the Fort Worth area?
- Should a Fort Worth family consider a CCRC instead of standalone assisted living?
