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Skilled nursing care facilities provide 24-hour care to individuals who are unable to do for themselves. According to Stephen Samuelian, it’s no small feat to ensure that each resident’s needs are met in a safe and nurturing environment. However, these facilities are held to strict state and local standards that ensure that they do just that.
Nursing care versus assisted-living
Nursing facilities are not the same as assisted living or retirement communities, explains Stephen Samuelian; the key difference being medical care availability. A nursing facility offers 24-hour comprehensive and supervised care from a staff of skilled nursing professionals. Stephen Samuelian notes that while most assisted living communities offer limited healthcare services, a skilled nursing care facility caters to persons who suffer from acute medical conditions or frailty of age.
A safe haven
Stephen Samuelian says that regardless of location, there are certain things that should be expected from skilled nursing care. These facilities will have a licensed nurse and possibly pharmacy staff on hand to attend to any urgent medical or pharmaceutical needs. This, describes Stephen Samuelian, may consist of wound care or the administration of intravenous medications. Additionally, a nursing care facility will provide a licensed physical therapist and speech therapy for residents who’ve lost their mobility or ability to communicate. An occupational therapist to focus on the reinstatement of physical abilities, will also be part of the senior’s care plan, says Stephen Samuelian.
Reputable nursing care programs offer ample visiting hours for family to more closely monitor the care of their loved ones, reports Stephen Samuelian. Many will additionally provide high-quality dining, access to health and beauty services, and limited recreational programs. These amenities, notes Stephen Samuelian, help improve the morale of the residents, creating a positive experience as they enter a season when they may be completely dependent on others.
Additional services provided by nursing care campuses include maintenance and laundry, educational activities, and opportunities for social development. Transportation and medically supportive services such as laboratory or radiological should be readily available as well. Stephen Samuelian notes that most nursing facilities are set up to allow for hospice care and many facilities also provide for respite relief.
Specialty programs
According to Stephen Samuelian, some skilled nursing care facilities have been professionally designed to accommodate individuals suffering from dementia or extreme respiratory ailments. Other conditions include Alzheimer ’s disease, COPD, and Parkinsons. Stephen Samuelian reports that these specialty programs are reserved for those who have extreme limits on what they can do for themselves.
An intensive nursing care facility will provide for the residents’ daily needs of personal hygiene, dressing, mobility, and eating. Additionally, Stephen Samuelian points out that bowel or bladder incontinence are also tended by specially-trained and empathetic medical staff.
While it is not an easy decision to put a loved one in the care of others, Stephen Samuelian stresses that a good facility will not only cater to the resident’s physical needs but focus on their mental health as well. Stephen Samuelian believes that not every facility can provide the same level of care and urges families to perform their due diligence when researching end-of-life accommodations for their loved ones.