It can be quite overwhelming to decide what type of senior care your loved one needs because of the many levels available. A way to make the decision easier is to learn about each level, and then match the level to your older loved one’s needs.
One level of senior care many loved ones choose includes having a skilled nurse always available. Facilities with a skilled nurse, one who is a Registered Nurse (RN), are referred to as skilled nursing facilities.
RNs at skilled nursing facilities provide care 24 hours a day. Care includes ensuring residents remain stable medically, engage in physical activities that promote health and wellness and eat nutritious meals.
Many people who go to a skilled nursing facility do so on a temporary basis to recover from an illness or injury. Often times, the facility is used for rehabilitation upon being released from the hospital. These people leave the facility once they can live independently safely.
Skilled Nursing Facility Services
Skilled nursing facilities offer a wide range of services to meet the needs of their residents. The most commonly used services include:
- Physical Therapy
- Occupational Therapy
- Speech and Swallowing Therapy
These therapies, as well as others, help people recover from or improve the symptoms of the following conditions:
- Stroke
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Injuries
- Acute medical conditions
Benefits of a Skilled Nursing Facility
Instead of spending thousands of dollars by staying in the hospital, patients are encouraged to go to a skilled nursing facility. Since a skilled nursing facility is covered by many insurances, it is less expensive than remaining hospitalized.
By being at a skilled nursing facility, residents receive a lot of the care they would receive at the hospital and continue to be monitored by nurses and doctors, supporting a full and quick recovery.
Being around other people who have suffered similar injuries, conditions, etc. adds an element of mental and emotional support. Residents often communicate with one another and engage in activities together helping them feel more comfortable during their stay at the facility.
Differences between a Skilled Nursing Facility and Nursing Home
A skilled nursing facility is not the same as a nursing home. A nursing home is a place for seniors to live permanently. These seniors cannot safely live at home.
A nursing home provides 24-hour care, but that care may not be from an RN like with a skilled nursing facility. Laws only require an RN or doctor to be present at the nursing home 8 hours a day, which leaves 16 hours without that level of medical supervision.
Differences between a Skilled Nursing Facility and Assisted Living Facility
An assisted living facility provides a level of care below what a skilled nursing facility and nursing home provide its residents. An assisted living facility is for seniors who may not be able to live independently in their home, but don’t need around-the-clock care. The services offered by an assisted living facility simply help seniors live safely and healthfully during their Golden Years.
Which One Is Right for Your Loved One?
Has this article on skilled nursing facility helped you? If so, we would love to connect you with some senior care options in and around Seattle, Bellevue, and Tacoma area. Please call A1 Senior Care Advisors TODAY for a free consultation in which we will assess your loved one’s needs and desires to connect him/her to the best senior care facility. Our services to you are completely free and our experienced senior care specialists are eager to help you with this process. Call us now at 425-324-5592.
