What are Nursing Homes?
Nursing homes, also called skilled nursing facilities (SNF), provide a wide range of health and personal care services. Their services focus on medical care more than most assisted living facilities. These services typically include nursing care, 24-hour supervision, three meals a day, and assistance with everyday activities. Rehabilitation services, such as physical, occupational, and speech therapy, are also available.
Some people stay at a nursing home for a short time after being in the hospital. After they recover, they go home. However, most nursing home residents live there permanently because they have ongoing physical or mental conditions that require constant care and supervision.
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, providing help getting in and out of bed, and assistance with feeding, bathing, and dressing. However, nursing homes differ from other senior housing facilities in that they also provide a high level of medical care. A licensed physician supervises each patient’s care, and a nurse or other medical professional is almost always on the premises. Skilled nursing care is available on site, usually 24 hours a day. Other medical professionals, such as occupational or physical therapists, are also available. This allows the delivery of medical procedures and therapies on site that would not be possible in other housing.
Who pays for nursing home care?
While most families use a combination of personal savings, private insurance, and assets to cover senior living, some federal and state programs offer assistance to seniors paying for nursing homes. Resources vary by location, care needs, and financial eligibility.
Services provided by nursing homes
The higher level of care offered in a nursing home makes it an ideal choice by providing medical care in addition to companionship, help with ADLs, and on-site amenities. Services may include the following:
- Ongoing palliative and preventative long-term care
- Prescription medication administration, including injections
- Specialized rehabilitative services, such as speech, occupational, physical, respiratory, cognitive, and vocational therapy
- Emergency and routine dental services
- Meal options that must meet the daily nutritional requirements and the unique dietary needs of each resident, including pureed and liquid diets
- Increased safety features and security benefits, including grab bars, ADA-accessible spaces, and alarmed doorways