Many older adults who are no longer able to care for themselves need help with their daily activities. A nursing home is a place where these individuals can live under the supervision of nurses, caregivers, and other qualified staff.
Nursing homes offer residents a sheltered living environment in addition to medical services and care. These facilities also provide necessary assistance to a person’s daily activities. Skilled nursing facilities are a type of nursing home that primarily provides specialized level of care for patients who require it due to an injury or illness that has left them unable to manage their daily needs on their own. In this article, Nursing Home Administrator Eli Mirlis, explains what is the purpose of skilled nursing facilities?
What is a Skilled Nursing Facility?
To put it simply, a skilled nursing facility is a place where people requiring advanced level of care stay. This can include people with severe injuries, people with Alzheimer’s, and those suffering from very long-term conditions like stage 4 cancer. When it comes to choosing a nursing home, you should keep in mind that people in skilled nursing facilities have greater health risks and require more medical care. These conditions can include severe pain, poor nutrition, and difficulty breathing. Skilled nursing facilities offer a more comprehensive range of medical services and care. In addition, Eli Mirlis adds, skilled nursing facilities may have more advanced medical equipment which allows for more comprehensive medical treatments.
Why Are People Treated in Skilled Nursing Facilities?
If you are living in a nursing home because you are unable to take care of yourself, you may be there for one of the following reasons.
– You have an injury that affects your mobility or function, like being in a wheelchair or bedridden with physical limitations.
– You have a disease that affects your cognitive function, like Alzheimer’s or dementia, or a serious illness, like kidney failure or cancer.
– You are receiving hospice care, which is a type of care that is offered when a patient is near death and their condition is too severe for doctors to make a difference.
People who need care in a nursing home may also have a condition that makes it difficult for them to live independently. People with cognitive impairments, such as Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, may have difficulty with basic functions like eating, bathing, and even getting out of bed. In addition, they may have behavioral problems, which can be difficult to manage in a nursing home setting.
Advantages of a Skilling Nursing Facility
– Advanced medical care – People in skilled nursing facilities receive highly advanced medical care. In addition, people in a skilled nursing facility can often leave if they are able to move back into their own home.
– More comprehensive medical treatments – Skilled nursing facilities also have more comprehensive medical treatments. For example, a facility may have a certified respiratory therapist who can assist when someone requires breathing treatments.
– Fewer restrictions on daily activities – In addition to medical care, skilled nursing facilities often offer assistance with daily activities. For example, a skilled nursing facility may have a social worker who can help you with appointments and activities like shopping, meals, and housekeeping. –
Less expensive care – The most significant advantage of a skilled nursing facility is the significant cost savings compared with an assisted living facility. The average cost of a nursing home is nearly $84,000. For an assisted living community, the average cost is less than $20,000 per year.
Choosing a Skilled Nursing Provider
When searching for a skilled nursing facility, Eli Mirlis, the CEO of RegalCare Management Group, recommends evaluating the facility’s reputation and the quality of care offered.
Look at the people who have provided references on the facility’s website as these are most likely people who have previously lived at the nursing home. You can also ask your doctor for a list of licensed nursing home providers in your area. It’s important that you choose the right skilled nursing facility. Choose a facility that offers the type of care you need. If you require the most advanced medical care, don’t choose a facility that offers less.
How to Find the Right Nursing Home Provider for You?
If you are choosing a nursing home, choose a provider who is licensed by your state to care for people with your condition, such as Alzheimer’s or dementia. Make sure the nursing home provides a range of services, such as activities and housekeeping, and provides appropriate levels of care to meet your needs.
When choosing a nursing home, consider the following factors. These are general guidelines, but they can help you choose the right skilled nursing facility.
– Cost – The most significant factor in choosing a nursing home is cost. The average cost of a skilled nursing facility is nearly $84,000. For an assisted living community, the average cost is less than $20,000 per year. With assisted living, you may have fewer restrictions on daily activities and can choose the level of care that best meets your needs.
– Staff – Make sure the staff in the nursing home is knowledgeable about your condition and how to manage it. The nursing home staff should be trained to manage your condition.
– Location – Choose a nursing home that’s close to your family so you can participate in caregiving.
Conclusion
Once you and your doctor have determined that a nursing home is needed, you’ll need to choose the right skilled nursing facility. When choosing a nursing facility, consider how much care you need, how much you can afford, and your own comfort level. If you require advanced medical care, a skilled nursing facility can provide this, whereas assisted living communities may offer less medical care. If you have concerns about what type of care you will receive in a nursing home, you may want to consider an alternative option.