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Skilled Nursing Homes - What Are They?
Skilled Nursing Homes - What Are They?
As the population of the United States grows older, many people
are looking for senior care solutions. As we age, we often need
certain levels of assistance and medical care. This article
details one of the options available for senior care.
Skilled Nursing Homes
A skilled nursing home is a medical facility providing services
similar to a hospital. The homes are staffed with licensed
nurses, shared rooms, hospital beds, regular scheduled doctor
rounds, meals and housekeeping. Skilled nursing homes often
provide a more pleasant setting with optimal nurse to patient
ratios and relaxed atmospheres.
Skilled nursing homes provide both long-term and short-term care
solutions for seniors. Unlike Assisted Living or Board and Care
homes, skilled nursing homes provide solutions for patients with
complex medical issues that require 24-hour supervision. These
issues can include mental issues such as dementia and physical
issues such as major infections, wound care, IV therapy, tube
feeding and physical/occupational therapy. Skilled nursing
facilities are also a common solution for seniors that are
unable to care for themselves on daily basis such as those
suffering from Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
A skilled nursing home typically provides a team approach when
providing medical care to patients. A licensed individual,
usually called the “administrator”, oversees the departments
comprising the skilled nursing home. A licensed Director of
Nursing [“D.O.N.”] is then responsible for the administration of
each department providing care to residents. Each D.O.N. is
directly involved in the medical care of each patient. Their
duties include overseeing nurses, interacting with physicians
and resolving any patient-related issues. In essence, the D.O.N.
is the person overseeing the day-to-day medical care of the
patient.
In addition to the Director of Nursing, a skilled nursing home
will customarily have other professionals on staff to assist
patients. A med nurse is always assigned for the sole purpose of
administering medications prescribed for the patients. Physical
and occupational therapists also work within the structure of
care, coordinating specifically ordered therapies and reporting
progress to doctors. An activities director is in charge of all
social interaction and planned activities. Finally, a social
worker is typically on staff to assist patients with emotional
issues and arrangements for their care after discharge.
Payment options for skilled nursing facilities depend upon a
number of factors. Private insurance and Medicare may be
solutions, but the regulations are fairly complex. All
individuals considering skilled nursing facilities should
investigate the options of their particular situation before
choosing a care option.
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