Nursing Homes, Long Term Care Facilities and Senior Services

A nursing home provides care for residents who require constant medical care due to illness, injury or other medical condition. Nursing homes provide a place for the individual to live where they can received physical therapy, occupational therapy, or various rehabilitation services to help them recovery from illness or accident. Nursing homes help individuals from those who are very young and are disabled due to serious physical or mental illness to the elderly who simply cannot care for themselves anymore due to age.


As a result of advances in medical treatment and care, a growing number of young residents are now living in nursing homes as a result of serious injury or other medical complication. Nursing homes are licensed to provide services in their individual state and must pass an inspection in order to be certified. Nursing homes are subject to federal laws and regulations as well as state level regulations. Various levels of care are provided at these facilities depending on the unique needs of the individual in the home.


A nursing home is the ideal place for an individual who does not require hospital care but who cannot be cared for at home. Nursing homes employ skilled nurses and nurse aids who work around the clock to provide care for residents. Many nursing homes are set up similar to a hospital with a nurses station centered on the floor and residential rooms located nearby. Other nursing homes have a more home like feel (similar to assisted living facilities) where residents can be more comfortable and feel at home while still having around the clock care.


Many nursing homes specialize a specific type of care such as units that care for people with Alzheimer's disease or a range of other conditions. There are even some nursing homes that will allow residents who are married to live together in the home. Nursing homes provide 24-hour care for elderly residents as well as for residents who suffer from illness, injury or other medical condition and cannot otherwise care for themselves.


Services Provided at Nursing Homes


Various services are provided by nursing homes. The most common services include medical care, nursing and rehabilitative care, personal care and residential care. Combined, these services offer individuals both young and old who cannot care for themselves, the care and help that they need to recover or remain out of the hospital despite various medical conditions.


Medical care provided at nursing homes is provided by physicians that regularly visit the nursing home and who are responsible for the individual care plan for each resident. Physicians can certify that a nursing home is needed and they act as the resource of information regarding the long term care programs and facilities in the community. Physicians provide the nursing home with a medical order that outlines the procedures that are required as well as any special diets or treatments that should be provided to the resident while in the nursing home.


Personal care is also provided at nursing homes. Nurses aides and other workers in the home will help individuals to get in and out of bed, get dressed, bathe themselves and perform daily tasks. Residential care services such as a general supervision, social programs and religious or spiritual programs are also provided at nursing homes.


Nursing homes provide nursing care and rehabilitative care for individuals who are injured or ill and who require various treatments or medical attention. Various rehabilitative services such as orthopedic care, speech therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, dental services and pharmaceutical services are all provided for residents at nursing homes. The range of services offered at nursing homes are aimed at helping individuals to recover, heal and maintain balance in their lives despite a medical condition that requires constant care.


Choosing a Nursing Home that Meets your Needs


Choosing a nursing home that can meet your individual needs begins with making a list of the nursing homes that are in your area and which provide the specialized services that you require. Once you have determined which nursing homes are located near you and that provide the services that you require you can begin to talk with people including your family and friends, your doctor or social worker or the hospital discharge planner about the personal and health care needs that you have.


Make sure that you or a family member visits every nursing home that you are interested in before making a final decision. Use good judgment when visiting the nursing homes on the list and make sure that you take notes regarding the cleanliness of the home, the attitudes or demeanor of the staff and any other information that you will need to make your final decision. If you visit a nursing home and it looks clean and the staff seems friendly you can take a note of that and remember those details when making your final decision.


If you are trying to help a loved one or friend find a nursing home, always be sure to keep the individual involved with the process and allow them (whenever possible) to take part in the final decision making process. This will assure a smoother transition for the individual when they move into the nursing home. In some cases, the individual may not be alert or able to communicate with you about their preferences on nursing home care. In these cases, it is important to make sure that the individuals values are considered when making a final decision on nursing home care.


Quality care in a nursing home is vital for the resident. If you ever visit a nursing home that you feel uncomfortable with, don't like the attitude that the staff gives you or you notice that the facility does not seem clean, immediately check into other options. If you visit a resident family member or friend in a nursing home and notice anything out of the ordinary or out of place, consider helping them find another nursing home.


Doctors and hospital discharge staff can often help by providing you with a referral to a nursing home that is local and that provides the services that you require. Talk with a hospital discharge planner about the options available in the area before making a final decision on nursing home care. Some nursing homes can provide suitable care for an individual and others may not so it's vital to research and review all options before choosing a nursing home to care for yourself or a loved one.