Skilled care nursing facilities

The decision to opt for nursing home care is never an easy one, and yet, such care can provide for a better quality of life and comfort. Unlike other senior living facilities, most nursing homes offer medical care, including physical therapy. While most associate nursing homes with the elderly — and most nursing home residents do fall into that category — these rehabilitation centers are for anyone who requires 24-hour care but does not need to be in hospital. Outside of a hospital, nursing homes offer the highest level of care for adults.

For many who must decide whether a loved one resides in a nursing home, the decision is a complex one and options are often confusing because of the different types of nursing homes available. Some offer a community environment with shared kitchens and communal areas, while others are more hospital-focused with nursing staff to provide a range of medical care and therapies such as occupational therapy, speech therapy or physical therapy. There are also specialist units that provide care for those with Alzheimer’s and other memory problems.An assessment of a loved one’s needs is vital to ensure that the nursing home chosen is able to meet those needs.

A loved one with limited mobility, for example, will require physical therapy, which helps residents become more mobile, especially if movement is impaired after an illness or accident. It can also relieve pain. Such facilities are helpful in ensuring that residents regain a level of independence. Exercise is usually part of the therapy regime and so can improve overall fitness and health.

In addition to the quality of medical care, a focus on quality of life and comfort is also a consideration. Moving into a nursing home as part of a married couple is difficult on both couples and some senior rehabilitation centers allow married couples to live together if both of them require some level of care. Community set-ups can also be useful in easing the transition to a nursing home.