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At Information Nation, we take pride in speaking to members of the business community who have made a difference in the lives of their fellow men. Stephen Edward Samuelian is just that kind of person and today the founder of Life Generations Healthcare, Covenant Care, Inc., and Utah-based Haven Health Group talks about skilled nursing facilities and when it’s time to consider care for an aging loved one.
Q: Thank you for joining us today, Mr. Samuelian.
Stephen Edward Samuelian: Thank you for having me, as the pleasure is mine!
Q: Today, we’d like to have a conversation with you about senior care options. We understand that this topic is your area of expertise.
Stephen Edward Samuelian: I like to think so. I have dedicated the majority of my career to building and managing skilled nursing facilities.
Q: You use the term “skilled nursing facility.” Is that the same thing as a nursing home?
Stephen Edward Samuelian: No, although the two are often used interchangeably. A skilled nursing facility offers just that – skilled nursing services. These are services that would be considered too complicated or risky for at-home care.
Q: And a nursing home…?
Stephen Edward Samuelian: A nursing home is set up to offer more custodial senior care but may still provide some skilled medical services.
Q: So a skilled nursing facility is more comprehensive?
Stephen Edward Samuelian: Absolutely! You will never walk into a skilled nursing facility and not have some sort of licensed provider on-site.
Q: Even at night?
Stephen Edward Samuelian: Yes, a skilled nursing facility provides care 24 hours a day seven days a week.
Q: What types of skilled services does a facility offer?
Stephen Edward Samuelian: Intravenous medication administration and monitoring, wound care, stroke/ heart attack recovery, occupational, speech, and other types of therapy along with everyday hygiene and mobility services.
Q: So when is it time to consider skilled nursing care for an aging parent?
Stephen Edward Samuelian: It might be time to open up a conversation with an aging parent if his or her personal and medical care needs are too great to handle on a personal level. Many people enter skilled nursing care after a hospitalization, as an example.
Q: Why after hospitalization?
Stephen Edward Samuelian: These patients may need constant care and monitoring while they heal.
Q: So you suggest involving that I involve my parent in the decision?
Stephen Edward Samuelian: Absolutely, yes, I cannot stress that enough!
Q: Even in cases where a parent is suffering from some sort of a memory disorder?
Stephen Edward Samuelian: Seniors with conditions such as Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s disease typically understand what is going on around them at least some of the time. Your parents deserve the respect of being involved even if they are unable to make that decision completely on their own.
Q: It sounds like you have a great deal of respect for the senior community.
Stephen Edward Samuelian: I always have and always will, and I hope that is reflected in the quality of care offered throughout my different companies.
Q: It sounds like a skilled nursing facility is sort of like a hospital…
Stephen Edward Samuelian: They will offer many services that are also available at the hospital. However, skilled nursing care is usually more home-like than a medical complex.
Q: That’s truly great information to have but it looks like we’re out of time for today. Thank you for chatting with us, we look forward to speaking with you again.
Stephen Edward Samuelian: Any time and I truly appreciate the opportunity to sit with you today.