We understand that finding the right level of care can feel confusing and overwhelming. We hope that this page will provide an initial guide to finding the right level of care custom to your needs.
Skilled Nursing Facilities
A nursing home is normally the highest level of care for older adults outside of a hospital. Nursing homes provide what is called custodial care, including getting in and out of bed, and providing assistance with feeding, bathing, and dressing. A licensed physician supervises each patient’s care and a nurse or other medical professional is almost always on the premises. Many skilled nursing facilities offer nursing care in one convenient location 24 hours a day 365 days a year. Depending on the skilled nursing facility occupational, physical, and speech therapists, are also available. If a patient needs rehabilitation a patient services the services until they’re able to go home.
The label “nursing home” has negative connotations for many people. Yet nursing homes provide an important component of senior housing options.
Living arrangements in a nursing home
The environment and layout varies from nursing home to nursing home. For example, some rooms may be private and others shared. Rooms may have their own bathroom, or bathrooms may be shared.
Short-term & Long-term Care Available
Short-Term Care
“Get back home” program is design to restore residents to their previous functions and be able to go home to his or her family. The program is coordinated by the interdisciplinary team that consist of director of nursing, director of rehabilitation services, social service designee, MDS coordinator, and administrator. The interdisciplinary team will develop a personalize treatment plan in order for the resident to get back home as soon as able.
Long-Term Care
Our long-term care units are design for individuals who need 24-hour skilled nursing care. The holistic approach provided by Medical Center Convalescent Hospital staffs includes the following; activities of daily living, medication management, wound management, gastrostomy feeding, intravenous medication therapy, dietary service, in-house activities, social service designee, and referral to contracted ancillary services like podiatry, psychiatry, psychology, dental, optometry, registered dietician, and barber/beauty shop service. The center also provides end of life care such as palliative and hospice care.
Skilled nursing facilities provide an extensive range of care under the supervision of licensed nurses and doctors who specialize in the care of the elderly. The following is a list of care that may be offered by skilled nursing facilities.
- Stroke Recovery – helping patients regain motor skills and speech functions.
- Parkinson’s Care – specific care required to attend advanced Parkinson’s cases
- Custodial Care – helps patients with ADLs
- General Wound Care – cleans wounds and administers antibiotics for infection.
- Acute Medical Conditions – assistance where an illness, infection or injury is present
- Terminal Illness Care – services offered along with hospice care for people living with terminal illness
- General Rehabilitation – speech, physical, and occupational therapy and other services to help patients recover after an extended illness or invasive operation.
Residential Care Facilities
Assisted living facilities are group living environments that provide assistance with some activities of daily living (ADLs). Whether they provide nursing services or help with medications varies among states. We recommend that you contact assisted living facilities to see if they can perform all levels of care that are necessary for your best well-being.
In assisted living, people often live in their own room or apartment and have some or all of their meals together with other residents. Social an recreational activities are usually provided.
These facilities provide help with ADLs. Some help with care most people can do themselves (like taking medicine, getting to appointments, or preparing meals).
Hospice & Respite Care
Hospice is a program of care and support for people who are terminally ill. Hospice helps people who are terminally ill live comfortably. When you choose hospice care, you’ve decided that you no longer want care to cure your terminal illness and/or your doctor has determined that efforts to cure you illness aren’t working.
Respite care is a very short inpatient stay given to a hospice patient so that their usual caregiver can rest.
Home care:
Depending on your needs, you may be able to get help with your personal care and ADLs at home from family members or friends. Home care agencies are also available to help with personal care, like bathing and help walking
Resources:
http://www.medicare.gov/what-medicare-covers/part-a/other-long-term-care-choices.html#collapse-4922
http://www.skillednursingfacilities.org/
http://www.helpguide.org/articles/senior-housing/guide-to-nursing-homes.htm