Many adults in the “sandwich generation” find themselves faced with the difficult task of finding a nursing facility for an aging parent. As a family member seeking care for your mother, father or partner, you’ve likely faced concerns about what kind of conditions your loved one would have to live in, or what level of care they’d receive. Stringent regulations have changed things for the better when it comes to nursing facilities, allowing you to feel confident about attaining the level of care your loved one needs. This short guide will help you understand a little more about nursing facilities so you can make a more informed decision when the time comes.
Learn More about Nursing Facilities
Overview: Nursing facilities are primarily for seniors and people entering the post-rehab phase of illness or injury recovery. In some cases they are appropriate for clients whose ongoing care level is too complex for home or other types of communities. Nursing care is available 24/7, and residents are monitored around the clock and given the medical assistance needed to deal with severe or debilitating physical or mental illness.
Staffing: Many people work together to support the patients’ needs. The staff members you’ll meet at a nursing facility include rehabilitation team (speech, physical and occupational therapists), admissions coordinator, social services, medical director, physicians and nursing staff.
Types of Nursing Facilities: From respite care for a person caring for a loved one at home, to resident facilities, there are different types of nursing facilities to meet patients’ specific needs. As with other types of care communities, each nursing facility will differ in appearance, environment and personality. It’s important to not only research online but also visit a facility and meet with staff prior to admission, in order to gain an accurate perspective of the facility and its quality of service.
Services Provided: In addition to receiving quality, round-the-clock care and monitoring by trained staff members, your loved one will receive therapies, treatments or other types of care as prescribed by his or her physician. Social programs and activities, meals and housekeeping are also all a part of daily life in most facilities.
Potential Clients: A nursing facility is appropriate for a person unable to care for his or her self and/or who requires round-the-clock monitoring and medical assistance due to a physical disability, cognitive decline or illness. Some nursing facilities have areas of specialization for particular care needs, so it’s important to consult with the staff there to ensure they have expertise with your loved one’s diagnoses.
Care Levels: Nursing facilities provide various levels of care, including long-term and short-term care, as well as post-acute cure.
Cost: A skilled nursing facility can be quite expensive, due to the high level of care and staffing required. While some long-term care insurance policies cover nursing facilities, other people must pay privately, Medicare and Medicaid may assist those with limited resources and income for some types of admissions.
Considering the Best Option for Your Loved One
Use the above information to guide you as you make the important decision to find appropriate care for the person you love. No matter where you are, we can help you with the process of finding the right facility and healthcare staff to provide your family member with appropriate care and medical treatment. The decision to find a nursing facility is difficult and selecting one can be quite challenging. We want to make it easier for you, and give you more peace of mind.