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What Is Skilled Nursing and When Is It a Good Option?

June 1, 2021

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If you’re looking for the best senior care option for a loved one, chances are the term “skilled nursing” has come up. Unless you have experience in the senior living industry, it’s normal to not be entirely sure what the term means. Is it a specialized form of nursing? Is there any difference between this level of care and assisted living? Would my loved one benefit from this type of care?

To answer all those questions, we’re going to take a deep dive into skilled nursing, define what this level of senior care involves, and when you should consider it for your loved one.

What Is Skilled Nursing?

Skilled nursing offers the most personalized and complete form of care outside of a hospital. At a skilled nursing community, your loved one will receive around-the-clock care from an expert nursing staff. Part of what makes skilled nursing unique is how the care is adjusted to the unique needs of each resident. For example, if someone is recovering from a fall, nurses would provide specialized physical therapy to help them improve their balance.

Generally, there are two types of skilled nursing care. Short-term skilled nursing care is focused on giving a person support while recovering from surgery, illness or accident. The main goal here is to help the person recover as safely and fast as possible so they can return to their normal lifestyle.

However, long-term care helps older adults who need 24-hour nursing support reach their highest level of wellness. Those in long-term care can expect to have access to a wide range of health support, including physical, occupational and speech therapies. Whether your loved one needs short or long-term care, you can expect a welcoming atmosphere and an expert staff.

Is Skilled Nursing Right for Your Loved One?

How do you know if skilled nursing is the best senior care for a particular person? This is based on their unique situation. If your loved one needs medical support following a recent surgery, illness or injury, short-term skilled nursing would be a great option. In addition to having their medical needs tended to, they would also get support with activities of daily living such as bathing, grooming, dressing and managing medications, if needed.

If you’re not sure if skilled nursing would be the best fit for your loved one, think about how much attention they’ll need. Older adults who only need help with activities of daily living, such as those mentioned above, might want to consider assisted living. While assisted living communities have nurses on staff, certified nursing assistants and other staff members are the ones who will be in closest daily contact with your loved one. If you’re on the fence about which level of senior care is the right choice for your situation, talking to your loved one’s doctor can provide additional insight.

How to Choose the Best Skilled Nursing Community

Now that you have a better understanding of skilled nursing care, how do you find the best community for your needs? Here a few tips to help with that search: :

  • Tour the Community: One of the best ways to see if a skilled nursing community is the right fit for your loved one is to take a tour. You’ll be able to get a good sense of what their day-to-day experience will look like.
  • Talk with Other Family Members: When you’re taking a tour, try to chat with other family members of residents that you see. They’ll be able to tell you more about the community from the perspective of those most familiar with it. .
  • Talk with the Nurses: When you’re looking for skilled nursing communities, ask to speak with one of the nurses. A nurse will be able to tell you in detail the type of care your loved one will receive.

Discover Expert Skilled Nursing at Franciscan Ministries

Franciscan Ministries has raised the bar when it comes to skilled nursing care. Our team of licensed skilled nursing care professionals, backed by state-of-the-art technologies, can help your loved one reach a higher level of wellness. For more information about our skilled nursing care, contact us today to find a community near you.