A skilled nursing facility is a type of nursing home where patients—often seniors—benefit from 24-hour medical care and supervision. These residences are staffed by qualified Registered Nurses who can reliably tend to a variety of health needs, including wound care, medication management, vitals monitoring, and physical therapy. If you or a loved one could benefit from this form of elderly care, here are a few things you may want to know about skilled nursing facilities.

What Services Does a Skilled Nursing Facility Provide?

Apart from round-the-clock medical supervision and assistance, skilled nursing facilities provide a variety of resources to improve their patients’ quality of life. In general, guests can expect private or semi-private rooms, daily cleaning, laundry, personal care, nutritious meals. In addition to physical, occupational, and speech therapy programs, these centers may also provide recreational and social activities.

Who Should Consider a Skilled Nursing Facility?

In general, these centers are reserved for individuals who may require regular medical assistance but are stable enough to recover outside of a hospital setting. In many cases, individuals will live in these residences for a short period of time as they rehabilitate after surgery or a stroke. However, some centers are equipped to welcome long-term residents who may require some sort of daily assistance for an undetermined length of time.

How Are Skilled Nursing Facilities Different Than Other Elderly Care Options?

Skilled nursing facilities meet a series of federal health regulations and for being staffed with certified medical professionals—including physicians and RNs. Although many nursing homes can be classified as this type of facility, some may only provide day-to-day personal care that may not involve extensive medical assistance. Independent living communities, on the other hand, are designed for seniors that may be able to take care of most of their needs on their own but still benefit from having extra resources for support and socialization.

Are Skilled Nursing Facilities Expensive?

As residences that meet a series of federal guidelines, these facilities often qualify for use of Medicare funds. However, the coverage amount may depend on the medical situation and individual insurance benefits. If Medicare funds aren’t applicable, there are a wide range of homes available to fit a variety of budgetary needs. In many cases, these resources may be more affordable than a long-term hospital stay or hiring a 24-hour private duty nurse.

Individuals seeking a reliable, skilled nursing facility in Monroeville, AL, can turn to Englewood Health Care Center for advanced senior support resources.  Staffed with first-rate RNs, LPNs, and CNAs, this licensed 87-bed rehabilitation center can easily accommodate the needs of patients with convenience and compassion. Focused on resident comfort, this center takes time to customize every level of care and provides exceptional physical, speech, and occupational therapy to aid in recovery. You can learn more about how this center can support your short- or long-term needs online or by calling a friendly representative at (251) 575-3285.