What is Skilled Nursing Care?
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With our informational guide to skilled nursing care, you’ll learn:
The key features of a skilled nursing care community
The difference between a skilled nursing care community and a nursing home
How to determine if a skilled nursing care community is the right fit for your needs
When considering long-term care for yourself or a loved one, it can be a challenge to understand the terminology used to describe different care options and the services they provide. For example, “skilled nursing care” is one of the most commonly used the terms that causes confusion.
Learning just what exactly “skilled nursing care,” is can assist you in making an informed decision about the care options that best align with your preferences, needs, and desired lifestyle.
What is Skilled Nursing Care?
Skilled nursing care is often used by patients recovering from a recent hospital stay as well as an option for individuals who need a higher level of care on a long-term or permanent basis. Some examples of the most common types of skilled nursing care services are:
Wound care
Physical therapy
Occupational and/or speech therapy
Intravenous (IV) therapy
Catheter care
Injections
Monitoring of medical equipment and/or vital signs
Memory care
A skilled nursing care community provides temporary or long-term residential care that includes the medically necessary services of physicians, licensed nurses, physical and occupational therapists, speech therapists, and others. In addition to skilled services, patients may also receive assistance with the activities of daily living (ADLs), such as dressing, bathing, and eating.
The distinction between skilled nursing care and skilled nursing care communities is one of location. Skilled nursing care is a specific description of a type of medical care that can be provided in a variety of settings, including a private residence or a continuing care community. A skilled nursing care community is a dedicated residence in which professional skilled nursing services are undertaken by on-site staff.
Skilled Nursing Care Community vs. Nursing Home
Another common question is, “What is the difference between a skilled nursing care community and a nursing home?” In some cases, they can be virtually the same thing – but that’s not always the case:
Nursing homes are residential care communities for individuals who need a level of medical care and support that is not generally available in assisted living communities. In a nursing home, a staff of registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and/or certified nursing assistants (CNAs) provide assistance with daily care.
Skilled nursing care communities also provide 24/7 professional care but generally offer a broader range of medical services than a traditional nursing home. They are not always intended for long-term or permanent residence, with many exclusively used for rehabilitative care on a short-term basis. However, there are many skilled nursing homes that do provide long-term care.
If you’re still uncertain about how to choose between a skilled nursing care community or a nursing home, a skilled nursing care community might be the right fit if you need assistance with medical issues such as:
Wound care
Stroke recovery
Terminal illness
Rehabilitation after an operation or illness (post-hospital care)
Serious memory issues
24/7 care
Keep in mind that there are some continuing care communities that offer senior skilled nursing care as an option for residents.
Montgomery Place: Skilled Nursing Care in Chicago, IL
Montgomery Place is located in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago. It is just one such continuing care retirement community that provides skilled nursing care. These services are overseen by experienced physicians from the University of Chicago Medical Center. In addition to monitoring and guidance from UCMC physicians, seniors living in our community receive 24/7 care from our full on-site team of nurses, certified nursing assistants, and caregivers.
Montgomery Place also facilitates respite services in Chicago to support primary caregivers who are in need of a temporary care arrangement for their loved ones. Our compassionate, highly-trained team can provide you with the peace of mind of knowing that your loved one will be exceptionally well cared for in our respite accommodations while you take the time and space you need.
As an award-winning provider of continuing care, Montgomery Place is dedicated to creating a comfortable, welcoming environment where seniors can live with joy and dignity. For more information about our skilled nursing care, including services for memory support and pain management needs, we invite you to contact our team today.
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