Skilled nursing care is meant to provide a high level of senior care to those who cannot do it for themselves. It often entails 24/7 monitoring and intensive medical assistance, which helps with chronic conditions. This type of intensive care is a crucial part of short and long-term rehabilitation from an injury or illness. The service can be offered in a variety of senior-friendly settings.
A nursing home is often referred to as a skilled nursing facility or healthcare service. A fully licensed facility offers on-site care for those looking for high-level care, often more monitoring and assistance than what an assisted living facility is equipped to provide. It can be a stand-alone facility, or the facility can be part of continuous care at a senior living facility.
The facility will usually employ LPNs, registered nurses (RNs), and certified nursing aides, available 24/7 to monitor the physical health of residents. The staff regularly and continuously monitors patients, delivering injections as prescribed by the doctor. In addition, medical equipment is used to monitor patients’ vitals while medications are administered on time. Most facilities also have a physical therapist to ensure that patients receive well-rounded care. and other human services.
Nursing homes provide:
- Options for semi-private and private rooms
- Laundry and housekeeping
- Three meals
- Physical therapy
- Social activities and programs
The cost associated with skilled nursing tends to vary mainly depending on the room’s size, the nursing facility’s region, and other factors. However, before you go ahead, keep in mind that the average monthly cost of a nursing home is over $7k a month for a semi-private room. That’s why you’d want to plan finances accordingly for family members.
A Skilled Nursing Facility Provides Assistance With Daily Tasks
One of the most significant benefits of living in a nursing home is for seniors who can’t complete basic tasks independently. Nursing home staff assist with dressing, bathing, and administering medicine. Nursing facilities also provide the assistance needed to ensure that seniors take their medication on time and that their rooms are clean. This unburdens the person in question from having to deal with these tasks.
Well Balanced Stimulation
When seniors live in their own homes, there is a lack of cognitive stimulation. That lack of cognitive stimulation often leads to a lack of physical stimulation. The combined lack of both physical and mental stimulation leads to severe adverse health effects. Also, seniors who decide to move in with their kids and their grandchildren can end up having to cope with overwhelming stimulation, which can adversely affect their health.
The great thing about living in a nursing facility is that residents’ capabilities can be assessed, and then the environment they live in can be adjusted to ensure the right amount of stimulation. This leads to helping seniors maintain optimal health, both physical and mental.
Active Socializing
Many seniors in the US report that they are emotionally burdened; often, living alone can do this to their overall health. Loneliness leads to depression, and we all know the roller coaster ride that can take any person on. However, even seniors living with their families may often feel removed from socializing with people their age.
The benefit of living in nursing facilities is that it is packed with people of the same or similar age. Plus, social activities are meant to keep seniors entertained and hence stave off depression. This also has numerous health benefits.
Housekeeping Is On The House
Many young people hate doing housekeeping, and many older people are the same. Even independent seniors may not enjoy housekeeping; after all, nobody ever jumped to the idea of scrubbing the toilet. However, the on-duty staff or housekeeping services at nursing homes take care of it.
Food Prep
Many seniors find preparing food to be highly challenging. Cooking can also be dangerous between their weak eyes, forgetfulness, and not being sure what they want to eat. Seniors shouldn’t be cooking, especially those with dementia, weak eyesight, arthritis, or other health conditions. However, eating is essential to ensure that they get good nutrition, which is why living at a nursing facility works out better for them.
Nursing homes ensure seniors get the nutrition they need without having to cook. Plus, seniors are provided coffee, tea, and snacks throughout the day. Many nursing facilities also have dieticians on staff, ensuring residents get the nutrition they need to remain healthy.
A Safe Environment
Minor home modifications can make the home safer for seniors living alone, but it can still be unsafe in many ways. Nursing facilities are often well-protected and thought-out environments, with emergency call boxes, grab rails, smoke detectors, and people on hand.
The round-the-clock supervision means there is always someone to prevent injuries, fraud, and financial abuse. According to US statics, seniors tend to be vulnerable when living alone.
Skilled Nursing Care Include Health Care On-site
All residents at a nursing facility and their families can be assured that their seniors are taken care of and monitored 24/7. However, while many seniors may want to see their regular doctor off-site for most of their non-emergency appointments, the staff can help with prescriptions, medical treatment, emergencies, and general health advice.
Final Word
Above are just a few benefits of living in a nursing home, but there are many others. So, if you are on the fence about it, we hope this has given you enough information to decide between it and home care.
