Skilled Nursing Facilities are often referred to as a Nursing Homes. Nursing homes got their name because nurses of varying degrees and certifications, take on the bulk of patient care. They work independently under the direction of a patient’s primary care physician.
In the past, a skilled nursing facility was a place to care solely for the elderly, leading to the somewhat unflattering term "old folks home." Today, many skilled nursing facilities have added rehabilitation to their list of services. A patient may be admitted to a skilled nursing facility, for example, to receive physical therapy while recovering from surgery such as a hip or knee replacement. These types of surgery require a lengthy recuperation period and limit mobility that makes it problematic recovering at home, especially for someone who lives alone. After an illness or surgery, patients who normally reside in Assisted Living can recover during a temporary stay at a skilled nursing facility with around the clock skilled nursing care and physical therapy services at the same location.
Is A Skilled Nursing Facility Right For You?
In general, a skilled nursing facility is an option for those who no longer can safely or effectively carry out the functions of daily living on their own, on a temporary or permanent basis. Staff at a skilled nursing facility help patients with a number of everyday tasks, including bathing, eating, grooming and going to the restroom. In the United States, time spent at a skilled nursing facility can be expensive and not always covered by health insurance. This has led many individuals to consider purchasing a supplement to their normal health insurance coverage that will specifically cover nursing home care.
A study reported by New York Life, a prominent American insurance company, noted the average cost of a private room at a skilled nursing facility in the United States has increased to $204 per day. The average price of a shared room is $180 per day. Prices were highest in the state of Alaska, where a private room costs more than $350 per day. An institution or part of an institution that meets criteria for accreditation established by sections of the Social Security Act may be eligible for Medicaid or Medicare reimbursement for skilled nursing care.
Skilled nursing care includes rehabilitation and various medical and nursing procedures. Written policies and protocols are formulated with appropriate professional consultation. Law requires that these policies designate which level of caregiver is responsible for implementation of each policy. Additionally, that the care of every patient be under the supervision of a physician, that a physician be available on an emergency basis, that records of the condition and care of every patient be maintained, that nursing service be available 24 hours a day, and that at least one full-time registered nurse be employed at the facility. Other criteria stipulate that the facility have appropriate accommodations for storing and dispensing drugs and biologics, that it maintains a use review plan, that all licensing requirements of the state in which it is located be met, and that an overall budget be maintained.
What to Look for in a Facility
When considering a nursing home for yourself or a loved one, it’s important to think about any special needs that are present or anticipated in the future.
Look. What choices are in your area? Is there a place close to family and friends? What’s important to you—nursing care, meals, a religious connection, hospice care, or special care units for dementia care?
Ask. Talk with friends, relatives, social workers and religious groups to find out what places they suggest. Ask doctors which nursing homes they feel provide good care.
Call. Get in touch with each place on your list. Ask questions about how many people live there and what it costs. Inquire about waiting lists.
Visit. Make plans to meet with the facility director and the nursing director. Important things to look for:
-Medicare and Medicaid certification
-Handicap access
-Strong odors (either bad or good)
-Food choice options
-Residents who look well cared for
-Staff to patient ratio
Talk. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Ask how long the director and department heads such as nursing, food and social services have worked at the facility. If key staff members change frequently, there may a problem.
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