If you or a loved one has a need for long term care, chances are skilled nursing facilities in your area are among the options you’re looking at in pursuing that care. So why choose a long term skilled nursing facility? What are the advantages of this option as compared to others, such as home care or assisted living facilities?
To help you in your decision-making process, here are 5 reasons to choose a skilled nursing facility to meet your long term care needs or your loved one's:
1. Comprehensive Healthcare Services
A long term skilled nursing facility is well-equipped to meet the medical needs of residents. These facilities offer around-the-clock nursing care, regular access to physicians and specialists, as well as oversight by a medical director. Medication management, wound care, pain management, IV therapy and management of specialized medical equipment are other medical services commonly provided by skilled nursing facilities. This level of medical care and monitoring goes above and beyond that which is typically available in the home care or assisted living environment.
2. Rehabilitative Services
Choosing a long term skilled nursing facility for your care needs means having daily access to rehabilitative professionals, such as physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech/language pathologists to help you or your loved one achieve or maintain the best possible level of physical function and independence.
3. Daily Personal Care Assistance
If you or your loved one needs help with activities of daily living, a long term skilled nursing facility has around-the-clock assistance available for this as well. Staff is available and trained to lend a hand with things like bathing, dressing, grooming, eating, toileting, walking or transferring into and out of bed as necessary.
4. Nutritional Services
Good nutrition is vital to maintaining your best level of health, energy and well-being. As a resident in a long term skilled nursing facility, you or your loved one will be provided with nutritious, well-balanced meals and snacks, suited to your individual dietary needs and personal preferences. Dining services in these facilities are typically managed by licensed nutritionists and prepared by professional dietary staff to ensure that residents are provided with a high-quality, appetizing menu daily.
5. Activities and Other Social Supports
Being engaged socially is nearly as essential to health and well-being as medical, nutritional and personal care. Choosing a long term skilled nursing facility also gives you or your loved one access to a variety of social and other activities. These may include arts and crafts, exercise classes, book clubs and discussion groups, for instance, or teas, outings, dances and much more.
These are just a few of the many reasons that a high-quality long term skilled nursing facility may be your best bet for your long term care needs. These facilities typically provide a much more comprehensive range of services than is provided in home care or assisted living settings, giving residents the safe, responsive and supportive environment they need to thrive.
