What is Nursing Home? Here is All About Nursing Home

 

What is a Nursing Home?

A nursing home is also called the skilled nursing facility, where people can go to receive round-the-clock care from professional nursing staff. Nursing homes are usually for the people who cannot be cared for at home and need the help than can be provided in the assisted living facilities.

Most staff is skilled nurses working 24 hours a day, physical and occupational therapists, and sometimes speech therapists.

People often go to nursing homes for short-term care after they are hospitalized. This is especially common after surgery or illness. However, many people live in skilled nursing facilities for the long term.

No matter how long someone spends in a nursing home, the goal is always to provide the best possible quality of life.

 

What are the benefits of nursing homes?

Nursing homes offer their residents a wide range of skilled nursing care and other services. These services include the memory therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, and the occupational therapy. Nursing homes also provide social and the recreational activities to help the residents stay engaged and connected to the outside world.

In addition, nursing homes offer the variety of amenities that can make life more comfortable for their residents, such as the private rooms and bathrooms, laundry and the housekeeping services, and the 24-hour nursing care.

Nursing homes provide the vital service to their residents and their families and can be essential to the continuity of elderly care.

 

What qualifies the person for a nursing home?

A nursing home is the long-term care facility for the elderly or disabled who cannot care for themselves or maintain independent living. Nursing homes offer various personal care services, including the 24-hour medical care, assistance with activities of the daily living, and rehabilitation services.

To qualify for nursing the home services, an individual must be assessed as requiring a higher level of long-term care than at home or in a supported living facility.

The nursing home facilities are regulated by the state where they operate and must meet specific criteria to be licensed. Most of the nursing homes are privately owned and operated, although some are not-for-profit or government-run organizations.

 

How is someone admitted to a nursing home?

Moving a loved one to a nursing home is one of the most difficult decisions a family can face. Unfortunately, this is often a decision that needs to be made quickly, and knowing where to turn for the help can be challenging.

• First contact the local area agency on the aging, which can provide the information about nursing homes in the area.
• Once you have a list of the potential homes, you will need to schedule tours and interview staff.
• It is also essential to talk with the current residents and their family members to understand daily life in the home.
• When you've gathered all the information, you can sit down with your family and decide what's best for your loved one.

 

What is the difference between the assisted living and a nursing home?

For many, deciding whether to move to assisted living communities or nursing homes is a problem. Many factors to consider, including the cost, level of long-term care, and the independence.

Assisted Living Communities are designed for the seniors who need assistance with activities of daily living but wish to maintain independence. These communities typically provide the personal care, including meals, transportation, assistance with bathing and dressing, and administering medications.

In contrast, nursing homes are designed for the seniors who need more extensive medical care and the supervision. This is a step in care compared to assisted living residents. Nursing homes typically provide medical supplies, skilled nursing care, physical and occupational therapy, and speech therapy. It also offers a variety of social and recreational activities.

When choosing between an assisted living facility and a nursing home, it is essential to consider your individual needs and preferences.

 

How long does the average person spend in a nursing home?

The average length of stay in the nursing home is about 2.4 years for men and 3.7 years for the women, according to the Centers for the Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

However, age, health, and financial status factors can affect how long a person stays in a nursing home.

For example, the older adults are more likely to be discharged from the hospital earlier than younger adults. In addition, they are more likely to be released earlier than those with the multiple chronic health conditions.

In addition, the Medicaid recipients are more likely to have an extended stay at home than those who pay out of the pocket.

Regardless of the length of stay, nursing homes provide an essential service for those who need assistance with the activities of the daily living and health care.