Skilled Nursing Care:

What It Is and When You Might Need It

Aging can bring health challenges that require more than just basic care. This is where skilled nursing care comes into play. It is a vital service that offers medical attention beyond what’s provided in a standard care setting. Skilled Nursing Care Week is May 11-17, and it’s the perfect time to appreciate the dedicated nurses who specialize in this essential service. Here are some basics about what skilled nursing care entails.

What Is Skilled Nursing Care?

Skilled nursing care refers to a high level of medical care that is provided by licensed health professionals, such as registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists. This type of care is typically available in a skilled nursing facility (SNF), which may be a stand-alone center (often called a nursing home) or part of a continuing care retirement community.

The services offered in an SNF are designed to meet the medical, therapeutic, and rehabilitation needs of patients who have a variety of serious health conditions. Services may include post-operative care, wound care, intravenous (IV) therapy, injections, and monitoring of vital signs and medical equipment. Rehabilitation services might consist of physical therapy to help regain mobility, occupational therapy to assist with everyday tasks, and speech therapy to address issues with communication or swallowing. The goal of skilled nursing care is for the patient to recover and be discharged.

Who Needs Skilled Nursing Care?

Skilled nursing care is generally intended for patients of any age who require intensive medical care following a hospital stay, surgery, or while recovering from a serious illness or injury. Medicare Part A covers this care for a limited time if certain conditions apply and qualifications are met. Here are a few scenarios in which skilled nursing care might be necessary:

Post-surgery recovery: Patients who have undergone major surgery might need skilled nursing care to ensure a safe and efficient recovery, especially if they have complex medical needs.

Chronic health conditions: Individuals with conditions such as stroke, heart failure, or diabetes may require ongoing medical monitoring and treatments that skilled nursing facilities are equipped to provide.

Rehabilitation needs: After an injury or significant medical event like a stroke, skilled nursing care provides necessary rehabilitation therapies to help patients regain function so they can return to their daily activities.

Severe illness: For patients recovering from severe illnesses such as pneumonia or sepsis, skilled nursing care provides the intensive nursing and therapeutic services needed to facilitate recovery.

Recognition for Skilled Nursing Care Professionals

During Skilled Nursing Care Week, we take a special moment to acknowledge and thank the skilled nursing care professionals for their hard work and dedication. These health care heroes provide compassionate care and maintain the health and well-being of some of the most vulnerable populations. Their commitment to patient care is not only a professional duty but also a personal one, as they often form lasting bonds with patients and their families.

If you think a loved one might benefit from skilled nursing care, discuss their options with them and their health care provider. Medicare.gov offers helpful information about nursing homes, including a checklist of things to consider when assessing different SNFs. The website’s nursing home compare tool helps users evaluate the quality of care at different facilities.

How Right at Home Can Help

Right at Home provides a variety of in-home care services, including helping seniors and adults with disabilities recover from illness, injury, or a hospital stay. We offer downloadable checklists, tips, and other tools to help with a loved one’s care transition. To find out more about our services, use our office locator to contact the office closest to you.

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