One of your loved ones is beginning to have trouble with their daily activities, and you’re starting to wonder what the best path forward is.
You may be considering moving them to skilled nursing. But what qualifies a patient for skilled nursing
Here at Delmar Gardens, we have a commitment to help seniors and those in need. We’ll guide you through an overview of nursing homes and their qualifications so you can make the best decision for your family member or loved one.
What is Skilled Nursing?
While assisted living focuses more on residential and everyday living needs, skilled nursing provides a much more specific program for each resident’s specific condition.
As a resident, you’ll be receiving 24/7 care and medical monitoring. If an issue arises, there will be a caretaker ready to assist.
There are also a variety of services included, such as wound care, physical therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy.
Each treatment plan is structured around the patient’s individual goals and needs.
What Qualifies a Patient For Skilled Nursing Care Services?
How do you know when a patient qualifies for skilled nursing care?
Well, there are multiple signs:
- The patient is unable to live at home
- They require intensive medical assistance
- Their treatment plan includes interdisciplinary services
- There is a need for physical and cognitive therapy
- 24/7 supervision is required
Essentially, if a loved one has ongoing conditions that require constant monitoring and medical care, they most likely qualify for skilled nursing.
This happens a lot after illnesses such as strokes, surgery, cardiac injuries, etc.
It may also be a good option if you think they can benefit from therapy. Specialized therapists can help improve speech, cognitive abilities, and physical fitness, which results in an overall improvement in quality of life.
Let’s take a look at the different types of services that are typically offered.
Types of Skilled Nursing
As mentioned earlier, there are many different services available, and residents are treated according to their needs and goals.
Physical Therapy
After sustaining an injury, physical therapy can help with recovery and get rid of lingering symptoms so you can get back to your normal way of life.
It’s also a great way to improve your mobility and fitness overall.
The goal of physical therapy in a nursing home is to get the resident to be able to move independently again.
Occupational Therapy
Residents may begin to require assistance with daily tasks. With occupational therapy, they receive help with activities like getting dressed, eating, and taking medication.
Occupational therapy also sometimes includes memory training, coordination exercises, and mental activities.
Speech Therapy
Some seniors may have injuries or conditions that make speaking hard.
Speech therapists provide exercises that help develop speaking and swallowing skills.
Bringing back the ability to speak and eat easily really improves the quality of life for seniors who may struggle with this.
Medication Management
While not all medication management falls under skilled nursing, there are some that do.
Typically, medication management in skilled nursing deals with more intensive types of treatment, such as IVs or specialized wound care.
Key Takeaways: What Qualifies a Patient for Skilled Nursing?
- The patient is unable to live independently at home.
- They require around-the-clock medical assistance.
- Interdisciplinary assistance is required.
- There is a need for physical or cognitive therapy.
- 24/7 supervision is needed for the resident’s safety
- The patient has ongoing conditions that require medical attention, such as:
- Stroke
- Surgery
- Cardiac injury
- Illness
- They can benefit from skilled nursing services by improving their speech and physical fitness
Getting The Care They Need
If you were wondering if your family member or loved one qualifies for skilled nursing, hopefully, this article helped clear things up. If you’re interested in learning more about what services will best help your loved one, Delmar Gardens is here to help.
Feel free to contact us to get more information on treatment plans, payment options, and more.
