Skilled Nursing Home
The highest level of nursing care and long-term care for adults who need medical care due to their physical/mental limitations without hospitalization.
What is a skilled nursing Home?
Often called skilled nursing facilities, nursing homes provide long-term care for adults who require 24/7 nursing and personal care. These may offer short-term, rehabilitative care after hospital discharge to recover from an illness or regain mobility, strength, and function after an accident until they can return to normal activities.
Staff members are encouraged to develop relationships with the residents to better care for them. Skilled nurses and staff are trained in:
Medical care
Physical therapy
Speech therapy
Occupational therapy
Some senior living nursing homes have special care units as an assisted living option for people with memory difficulties such as Alzheimer's disease and dementia. Some may let couples live together.
Eligibility for nursing home care varies, communication with Medicaid or government county agencies is important to understand your state's requirement. Generally, a physician's evaluation is needed by performing a physical examination and obtaining their medical history.
When a loved one is no longer safe to live on their own, it may be time to consider if:
Needs 24/7 medical/skilled nursing care
Not mobile
High risk for falls
Unable to feed themselves
Types of Care include:
Hospice
Home Health
Memory Care
Long-Term Care at Skilled Nursing Homes
Long-term care for seniors who have:
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Serious chronic or progressive illnesses
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Severe cognition impairment
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Terminal diseases.
Services include assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), such as:
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Bathing and toileting
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Prepared meals
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Medication management
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Access to social activities.
With access to medical and nursing care provided by licensed healthcare professionals, this type of care may include:
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IV therapy
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Wound care
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Catheter care
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Injections
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Heart rate and blood pressure monitoring
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Other health services
Short-Term care at Skilled Nursing Homes
Nursing homes may offer short-term housing and skilled nursing care for seniors recovering from
surgery, injury, or illness after a hospital stay.
These temporary residents receive skilled nursing care and rehabilitation services, along with help with personal care, meals, and medication management.
Nursing home rehabilitation services may include:
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Physical therapy
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Occupational therapy
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Speech therapy
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Orthopedic rehabilitation
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Social and psychological services
Skilled Nursing Homes Services
Nursing home services generally include:
24-hour care and supervision
Skilled nursing care
Rehabilitative services
Help with personal care
Medication management
Palliative and hospice care
Mobility assistance
Nutritious meals
Care coordination
Social activities and outings
Complimentary transportation
Housekeeping
Laundry
These homes also offer social activities for residents but their focus centers on medical care due to the nature of their residents who are more physically restricted.