Has a sudden, dramatic change in your loved one’s condition forced you to face an important decision? Your aging loved one has long relied on your support, and now, you’re wondering how you can provide the best care.
Before that decision is made for you, explore the benefits of skilled nursing care.
What is it? How do you choose the hospital or nursing facility that’s right for your loved one? What qualifies a patient for skilled nursing care?
Keep reading to find out.
Understanding Skilled Nursing Care
The decisions you make for your loved one’s care are highly personal and can have a significant impact on their quality of life. While skilled nursing care provides peace of mind for many caregivers, it is important to understand all that it entails. Skilled nursing care is usually ordered by a doctor and is given by certified nurses and other health care workers.
It may include treatments ranging from wound care to physical therapy and occupational therapy. Skilled nursing typically requires visits to both the patient’s health facility and residence.
Above all else, the care is centered on making sure the patient is comfortable and getting the best care possible that fits their needs. If your loved one requires more care than you are able to give on your own, then skilled nursing care could be an optimal choice.
Key Services Provided in Skilled Nursing Facilities
Skilled nursing facilities provide a wide range of services to support seniors and those with disabilities. This includes the following:
Physical Therapy
Skilled nursing care can be a great choice for your loved one when they require physical therapy. The nursing staff can help keep your loved one safe and watch over them while they do all the necessary physical therapy exercises.
Skilled nurses can also help make sure that the instructions from the physical therapist are followed correctly. Also, any safety concerns of the patient are taken into account. Also, if there is a serious medical problem or physical injury, the nursing staff will be ready to handle it.
Skilled nursing staff are highly proficient at tailoring their services to your loved one’s needs. They can help provide your loved one with the therapeutic care they need during their recovery.
Rehabilitation
Yes, skilled nursing care can be a great option for helping your loved one with rehabilitation from an injury or surgery. Skilled nursing care can offer round-the-clock nursing and monitoring for your loved one. This level of care allows for a team that can monitor your loved one’s progress and help them get back to normal.
The team can create a comprehensive individualized care plan tailored to the patient’s needs. Skilled nursing care can also address any pain management issues related to the injury or surgery.
The team will work in concert to help restore physical strength, increase joint motion, and improve mobility and balance. With skilled nursing care, your loved one can receive the help they need in a secure and supportive environment and get back to an active lifestyle.
Social Services
Skilled nursing care can be a great choice for a loved one who needs social services. Skilled nursing gives you access to a team of healthcare workers who are trained to meet both medical and social needs.
This group of professionals helps evaluate, diagnose, and treat illness or injury. They also offer emotional support and information on how to make changes to a person’s life.
Skilled nursing also helps make a care plan for the whole patient that takes into account his or her physical, social, and mental needs. Skilled nursing care is tailored to provide a variety of services.
Nutritional Support
Skilled nursing care is often the right choice for loved ones whose health is in decline. Nutrition plays an important role in overall health and well-being. The nutritional support services will help those who are getting skilled nursing care a lot.
A skilled nursing facility will employ dieticians and nutritionists to work with the patient. This is to ensure they are getting all the necessary vitamins and nutrients needed for a healthier lifestyle. These professionals can also monitor meal plans, create specialized diets, and advise on supplement use.
Social workers are also available to help connect vulnerable families to programs. These programs mainly provide food and access to nutritional resources.
When Is Skilled Nursing Care the Right Choice?
Skilled nursing care may be the right choice if your loved one needs frequent monitoring of their condition or medical treatment. This also includes the following:
Complex Medical Needs
When a loved one has complex medical needs, it is best to consider skilled nursing care as the most appropriate option. Skilled nursing care is given by registered nurses, and it covers all medical needs and is all-inclusive. Skilled nursing care is focused on the patient and offers personalized care plans that are changed as the patient’s needs change.
Post-Surgery or Hospitalization
When a loved one undergoes surgery or is hospitalized, it is essential to consider whether skilled nursing care should be sought. Skilled nursing care can enable a consistent and reliable level of support and comfort throughout the road to recovery.
The skilled nursing team can help with a wide range of things, such as taking care of wounds, giving medications, and helping with rehab exercises. This level of care speaks to the person’s unique needs so that each step of recovery can be managed properly.
Skilled nursing care also means your loved one does not have to rely solely on friends and family for support and guidance. This provides a greater sense of independence.
Skilled nursing staff are vigilant and attentive. This allows the individual to be safe and comfortable while on the path to recovery.
Safety Concerns
When considering skilled nursing care for a loved one, safety concerns should be top of mind. A nursing home provides many safeguards in which to protect those in their care, such as:
- non-slip flooring
- appropriate lighting and
- secure grip handrails
Staff in a nursing home are also trained and experienced, so they can care for residents around the clock. This includes medication management, personal care, and supervision to keep home residents safe. Furthermore, nursing homes are equipped with the following:
- updated fire safety systems
- including sprinkler systems
- smoke alarms
- fire extinguishers
- evacuation procedures
Many skilled nursing facilities provide balanced, nutritious food to ensure residents are well-fed. Ultimately, skilled nursing care can provide much-needed peace of mind when it comes to the health and safety of those in our lives.
Cognitive Decline
Skilled nursing care is an appropriate decision for a loved one who is suffering from cognitive decline due to a medical condition. Skilled nursing care offers the best possible care in a caring and safe environment.
In this setting, a patient can receive specialized attention to manage their cognitive decline. This can include:
- physical
- occupational
- speech therapies
Also, family members can feel safe knowing that their loved one is in a place that is being watched over by medical professionals. Skilled care can be the best and safest option for a loved one suffering from cognitive decline.
Additional Factors to Consider
If your loved one is in need of skilled nursing care, there are additional factors to consider. This includes the following:
Your Loved One’s Wishes
When considering whether skilled nursing care is the best option for a loved one, the wishes of the individual must be taken into account. It is important to ensure that the person’s needs and preferences are being respected.
Ask them if they are comfortable with the idea of receiving nursing care, and consider if their physical and mental abilities are able to handle the transition. Communication is key when determining what is best for your loved one.
Facility Reputation
When it comes to choosing a skilled nursing care facility for your loved one, researching the reputation of each facility is essential. Start by carefully reading online reviews from current and past patients, speaking to current and former residents, and speaking to family members and friends who have had experiences with the facility.
It is also helpful to visit the facility in person to ask questions and look for signs of quality care. Finally, check the facility’s licensure and accreditation history online to ensure that it meets all the standards of care and safety laws.
Insurance Coverage
When considering skilled nursing care for a loved one, insurance coverage should always be a factor. While skilled nursing care is a valuable resource, with the right long-term care policy, the cost of extended care can be minimized.
To determine if the right insurance coverage plan is in place, one should check to see if the policy covers in-home nursing care or extended stays in a residence or care facility. For some, long-term care policies provide coverage for both in-home and facility-based care, while others cover only one type of care.
Explore What Qualifies a Patient for Skilled Nursing Care
Determining what qualifies a patient for skilled nursing care can provide a safe and comfortable environment for your loved one as they heal and transition back into independent living. Consider all factors, such as cost, location, and care provided, before making a decision.
If you have further questions, don’t hesitate to reach out and contact professional experts who can provide valuable insight.
Don’t miss out on the wealth of knowledge waiting for you on our site! Discover more informative topics by exploring the rest of our page.
