Nursing homes are a good option if your aging loved one suffers from a serious, debilitating illness or injury and needs 24-hour medical care. They provide the help they need while also allowing them to fill their lives with plenty of social experiences and fun activities.
They offer specialized therapy. This includes physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy.
They Provide Personalized Care
Unlike home care, assisted living and other senior housing options, a skilled nursing home Missouri(SNF) provides a full range of specialized care. This includes around-the-clock scheduled supervision from registered nurses and licensed practical nurses. In addition, many communities have on-site doctors specializing in internal medicine, gerontology, podiatry, dentistry and optometry.
Depending on the specific medical needs of each person, SNFs can offer physical, occupational and speech therapy in addition to wound care, IV therapy, injections and monitoring of vital signs. In most cases, skilled nursing aims to help patients regain independence and return to home or another type of senior living.
Whether long-term or short-term, the community team strives to give each resident personalized care. They often go above and beyond by providing engaging, uplifting social programming designed for the residents’ level of mobility. In this way, they aim to improve the quality of life for their elders and promote a healthy lifestyle.
They Help With Daily Tasks
For seniors with a chronic condition, like dementia, that prevents them from caring for themselves or managing their daily tasks, nursing facilities offer around-the-clock supervision. They have trained nurses on staff to provide medical care, administer medication, help with bathing or dressing and more.
They also have on-site physicians specializing in gerontology, internal medicine, and podiatry. If your loved one has an emergency, the staff can immediately take them to the hospital.
Additionally, nursing homes often have a variety of activities to help keep your loved ones social and engaged. They may participate in group exercises, go out, and attend various weekly events. This helps them stay connected to a community and gives them a sense of belonging. They’re also given healthy meals that are tailored to their nutritional needs. This allows them to maintain a higher level of health and wellness.
They Offer Socialization
The physical limitations, emotional challenges or loss of a loved one can cause many seniors to become isolated and avoid socialization. Lack of socialization is associated with depression, dementia, heart disease and more.
A skilled nursing home facility will offer various social events and activities to keep your loved ones busy. During these events, seniors can learn new skills and meet friends. They can also participate in group meals to maintain a healthy eating regimen.
Seniors need to have a positive mental health. Studies have shown that loneliness and isolation are linked with a higher risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia. The socialization programs offered at skilled nursing facilities help keep seniors mentally and emotionally healthy. These programs can even reduce the occurrence of falls, infections and depression. They can even boost their self-esteem and confidence. They are also encouraged to engage in physical activities that help improve their overall health and well-being.
They Have Emergency Medical Centers
Unlike home care, where family members often have to drive their loved ones to medical appointments, a skilled nursing facility has nurses and health aides on staff around the clock. This means your elderly loved one can receive immediate medical assistance should something go wrong, and the risk of rehospitalization is greatly reduced.
A skilled nursing facility, also known as an SNF or rehab, is the highest level of senior care available outside a hospital. It provides round-the-clock medical care by registered nurses and licensed professionals like physical, occupational and speech therapists. This care aims to help patients recover from illnesses or injuries so they can return home.
Skilled nursing home facilities offer long-term and short-term care, depending on the patient’s needs. Medicare may cover some of the cost of a short stay in an SNF for seniors who meet certain criteria. Medicaid also offers coverage for residents who need long-term nursing home care.
