The Basics of Skilled Nursing Facilities
What are skilled nursing facilities and how do they fit into your loved ones’ journey?
Recovering from a serious illness or emergency can require time and extra support.
Even after a hospital stay, some patients might need continued care from healthcare professionals. Skilled nursing, or post-acute care, serves as a transitional step following “acute care”, which is typically provided in a hospital setting.
Skilled nursing facilities are a short-term facility with medical specialists that will help patients with their rehabilitation.
Skilled nursing facilities predominantly focus on physical and occupational rehabilitation, with some cases involving specialized nursing care such as IV antibiotics administration, wound care, contagious disease isolation, or external tube drain management. The primary objective is to facilitate patients’ recovery or equip them with the skills to manage changes in their health condition.
How does my loved one qualify for a stay at a skilled nursing facility?
Qualification for skilled nursing services requires a prior 72-hour hospital stay, followed by written orders from a physician, which ensures Medicare coverage for the stay.
In certain instances, patients may opt for skilled nursing on a private pay basis without specific doctor recommendations, especially if insurance coverage has been denied, and they see the need for additional assistance in their recovery journey.
What happens at a skilled nursing facility?
At a skilled nursing facility, your loved one will receive specialized care to help them regain their ability to do activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, walking, and getting into or out of bed. They will also participate in hour-long physical and occupational therapy sessions 5 times each week, depending on their needs.
This can include physical therapy, wound care, intravenous (IV) therapy, catheter care, and continued nursing care.
The average length of a stay is 14-21 days, depending on insurance coverage.
Who will care for your loved one at a skilled nursing facility?
Health professionals providing the most day-to-day care at skilled nursing facilities include:
- Registered nurses (RNs)
- Licensed vocational nurses (LVNs)
- Certified nursing assistants (CNAs)
- Physical and occupational therapists
- Speech/language pathologists
Other staff available at skilled nursing facilities include:
- Case managers
- Social workers to help you navigate your loved one’s stay
- Medical doctors (MDs) and/or Nurse Practitioners to provide medical supervision and care
Contact Partner in Aging for more information: www.partnerinaging.com