Skilled Nursing Facility Truths: Clearing Up Misconceptions
November 30th, 2017 by admin
While there's no doubt that long-term care for seniors is often necessary, we tend to underestimate how likely it is that we may need it ourselves. In fact, only 37% of people aged 50 and above believe they'll require it, but around 70% will actually need some kind of senior care. However, with so many options available for senior care, it can be difficult to understand the differences between them. The concept of a skilled nursing facility is one that's hard for many people to grasp, and because of that, there's a lot of misinformation out there. In today's post, we're highlighting some important truths about skilled nursing and how it can improve quality of life.
A skilled nursing facility is not synonymous with a hospital.
A lot of people are under the impression that skilled nursing is just another term for hospital care. But while skilled nursing centers do offer medical care, they are not the same as hospitals. Facilities that provide skilled nursing also offer a sense of community and socialization, allowing residents to partake in life-enriching activities and other amenities. When you stay in a hospital, you're typically confined to a bed or a room until you are discharged. A facility that offers skilled nursing can provide a sense of purpose and belonging, while a hospital is essentially all about treatment.
Skilled nursing facilities aren't just for the elderly.
Some skilled nursing facilities are geared towards long-term senior care, but that's not a steadfast rule. Other centers provide both short- and long-term care for all patients, regardless of age. For instance, many facilities offer care for patients who have sustained brain injuries or who have had limb amputations. While our facility may be centered around senior life, that doesn't mean all skilled nursing facilities are. If you feel someone you love would benefit from expert medical care but they're younger than 65, there may be many options available in your area.
Skilled nursing facility residents still retain their independence.
You might assume that in a skilled nursing facility, seniors have to give up their autonomy. While a skilled nursing center might not be an appropriate choice for all independent seniors, it's of great importance to staff members that residents retain their sense of independence. This is true even for patients who have cognitive challenges or limited mobility. They are still able to make choices pertaining to the schedules they participate in and the care they receive.
Nursing homes and assisted living facilities don't always offer what skilled nursing facilities do.
There is some overlap between skilled nursing facilities, nursing homes, and assisted living communities. For instance, all three will provide help with medication dispensation, dressing, bathing, grooming, meal prep, and other daily life tasks. However, assisted living centers and nursing homes do not provide the same level of medical care that skilled nursing facilities do. In addition to medication management and administration, skilled nursing centers can provide more in-depth treatment due to the doctors, RNs, and therapists on staff, as well as their access to laboratories, radiology centers, and pharmacies.
If your loved one has specific medical needs beyond medication management or you'd like to know that qualified doctors, nurses, and therapists are on-site, skilled nursing facilities may be a viable option. To find out more, contact White Birch Communities today.
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