what is
a nursing home?
your guide to skilled nursing homes by Nestvy
1O1
your guide to skilled nursing homes by nestvy
It’s important to note that skilled nursing care and a nursing home are two different terms.
Skilled nursing care is a short term care solution for seniors who need ongoing medical treatment as they recover from a disease, illness, or injury. Skilled nursing homes are long term permanent housing solutions for seniors, and they offer more medical care than assisted living or memory care facilities. Skilled nursing care is administered at nursing homes, hospitals, private residences, and sometimes their own specific facilities.
To find a nursing home or skilled nursing facility near you or your aging loved one, speak with a senior care coordinator at a placement agency.
With so many decisions to be made and questions to ask, it is beneficial and invaluable to have a care coordinator on your side to help you find the perfect care solution for your situation.
A senior care coordinator will help you navigate through how to find, place, and pay for the skilled nursing care your loved one needs. A care coordinator also knows which facilities and companies are a good fit and which ones to avoid. They will take into consideration all the needs from every angle and present a health care solution that works for you and your family.
who can benefit from
a skilled nursing home?
Seniors who need daily medical support from an RN or LVN as they recover from an illness or injury would benefit from a skilled nursing home.
Seniors who suffer from late stages of dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease and need continuous support would also benefit from skilled nursing care.
Fully trained nurses are available to help with wound care, medication administration, and are equipped to identify and handle medical emergencies.
Some assisted living facilities have a skilled nursing wing or unit that residents can move in and out of as their needs changes. This is ideal in that it helps keep the individual in the same place which can aid in recovery.
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what’s offered in
skilled nursing homes?
Skilled nursing facilities typically offer a wide range of care, whether their residents are there permanently or just passing through as they recover. Daily support with bathing, cleaning, and personal grooming are all provided by trained caregivers. Skilled nursing homes offer 24-hour support and supervision. This is especially important if residents need help at night or pain management needs to be closely monitored.
therapy
Occupational, physical, and speech therapy are available in most skilled nursing facilities. Sometimes these therapists can be hired to come to a private residence, although it is more expensive and not always covered by insurances or Medicare.
meals
Skilled nursing facilities should provide three meals a day and some will offer support with eating if that is necessary. RNs can also insert and remove feeding tubes, which is restricted in facilities that do not employ RNs.
medical treatment
Since residents in a skilled nursing home require medical attention, different types of treatment are offered. Registered nurses and LVNs are available to administer medical treatment through the duration of the resident’s stay.
what’s the cost of
skilled nursing homes?
Unfortunately living in a nursing home is one of the more expensive options in senior health care. The average cost for a semi-private room in a nursing home is $225 per day.
There are rules, exceptions, and exceptions to the exceptions when it comes to what Medicare will cost, so here are a few ways to consider paying for a skilled nursing facility or nursing home. The caveat with Medicare is that it will only pay for a skilled nursing facility if a patient is recovering from a sudden illness or injury. For example, it will pay for recovery from hip surgery, but not for ongoing dementia diagnosis. It is also very limited in its time frame.
Medicare will cover 100% for the first twenty days, 80% for the next eighty days, and 0% after one hundred days. Some states offer PACE which is a supplemental part of Medicare for middle to low-income seniors. It is geared toward patients who are able to continue their care at home. Medicaid is a state-run program and shoulders the biggest cost of nursing homes by far. The income and asset guidelines for qualifying for Medicaid are very strict and vary by state. Veterans and their spouses can sometimes receive help paying for nursing homes if they meet certain requirements. Age, income, assets, when they served in the military, and other factors are all considered. Each state has its own regulations and policies. Research the Aid and Attendance Act and Veterans Benefits for more information.
Other options in paying for a skilled nursing facility or for care are the income from the sale of a home, a reverse mortgage, private long term insurance, and even moving the senior to a state or area that is less expensive. With so many decisions to be made and questions to ask, it is beneficial and invaluable to have a care coordinator on your side to help you find the perfect care solution for your situation. A senior care coordinator will help you navigate through how to find, place, and pay for the skilled nursing care your loved one needs. A care coordinator also knows which facilities and companies are a good fit and which ones to avoid. They will take into consideration all the needs from every angle and present a health care solution that works for you and your family.
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