Skilled Nursing

In general, nursing homes serve seniors who require someone to help them transfer from a wheelchair to a bed or bathroom, etc.; have a serious clinical condition or late-stage dementia. 

Primary nursing home services include:

• Skilled Nursing Care: Staffed with registered nurses and medical professionals available 24/7 to provide comprehensive medical care, including administering medications, managing chronic conditions, and emergencies.
• Specialized Care Programs: Offer a customized plan for residents with specific medical conditions, such as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.
• Personal Care Assistance: Provide help with daily activities like bathing, dressing, and eating for residents who may have difficulty performing these tasks independently.
• Rehabilitation Services: Offer physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy, to help with recovery from injuries or surgeries.
• Safe Environment: Equipped with medical equipment and trained staff to address emergency situations promptly—always with residents’ safety top of mind.
• Therapeutic Recreation: A holistic well-being program with scheduled activities that foster social interaction, creativity, and sensory stimulation.

Paying for skilled nursing care varies according to a person’s needs and financial situation. Medicare typically covers short-term rehabilitation stays, but does not cover long-term residential care. Medicaid can be accessed to cover long-term residential care if the person meets specific medical criteria and has limited financial assets. Those asset levels vary by state.