Skilled Nursing Care, also known as Post-Acute Rehabilitation, is a specialized level of care that offers a comprehensive range of medical assistance for those that require short-term care following an injury, illness, surgery, or other type of medical emergency. This level of comprehensive care provides around-the-clock nursing oversite, assistance with daily activities, and ongoing, comprehensive evaluations to meet a wide range of diagnosis and help patients recover and return to their independence.
If you suspect your loved one may need an additional level of assistance, you may be curious if skilled nursing care is the right care option for them. Choosing the appropriate level of care for your loved one can be a challenging journey, but here are some ways to know if skilled nursing care is right for you or your loved one.
Post-Acute Recovery
If you or a loved one have recently been hospitalized for a serious injury, illness, or surgery your team of healthcare professionals may recommend care at a skilled nursing center to ensure recovery is as smooth as possible. Post-acute care is encouraged for those who are recovering from a serious hospitalization as it provides the necessary 24/7 onsite nursing care a person needs for optimal recovery before returning home.
At a skilled nursing center, you will receive the highest quality of care from a specially trained team of healthcare professionals while staying in a home-like environment. Depending on your unique needs, this level of care provides pain management, wound care, dietary services, and bariatric care services. Skilled nursing care also offers rehabilitative services such as physical, occupational, or speech therapy if you experienced an injury from a fall, underwent a planned joint surgery, or suffered a debilitating medical emergency such as a stroke.
No matter your age or ability, skilled nursing care is essential for those recovering after a hospitalization to help patients not only recover, but also prevent their risk of future complications. At a Prestige Skilled Nursing Center, your clinical and therapy teams are dedicated to providing you with the tools, support, and resources you need for a successful rehabilitation stay. Our goal is to ensure each person is able to regain their independence and return home to their active lifestyles as quickly as possible.
Individuals with Chronic Health Conditions
Skilled nursing care is also often recommended for individuals who require assistance managing their chronic health condition as it can become increasingly challenging and impact their independence. Complex medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, or respiratory illnesses require a specialized level of attention that can be found at a skilled nursing center. This is even more prevalent if a person has more than one complex health condition and needs continuous monitoring.
At Prestige, we provide ongoing management and care of these types of conditions. We offer cardiac rehabilitation designed to improve cardio fitness and heart health, diabetes management to help reduce high blood sugar and improve your overall health, and pulmonary care for those with living with a respiratory disease such as COPD. Our goal is to ensure patients are receiving the individualized care they need to reduce their risk of further complications and/or hospital readmission.
Temporary Respite Care
Skilled nursing is also offered for loved ones that require additional care while their caregiver or family is either unavailable or requires some time to rest and recharge.
Many skilled nursing centers offer a respite care program designed to provide short-term relief for primary caregivers. This care option is offered to ensure caregivers are able to receive the rest and support they need while their loved one’s medical needs are being met with around-the-clock care. Caregivers and families can also use this option if there is an unexpected event or planned vacation.
At Prestige Care, we are proud to offer respite services at many of our skilled nursing centers to ensure your loved one is being cared for while you are taking the time you need to reset. While we understand how meaningful caregiving is, we understand it can be challenging at times.
Patients with Dementia and Alzeihmer’s
If your loved one has been hospitalized and is living with some form of memory loss, such as Alzeihmer’s or dementia, they may need specialized care at a skilled nursing center. A person with cognitive health challenges faces a unique set of medical needs that can impact their recovery after a hospitalization.
Post-acute care centers provide memory care patients with 24/7, advanced care and support to ensure they feel comfortable and safe in their new environment. This may include structured routines and activities, licensed nursing oversight, medication management, secured centers, and regular housekeeping. Skilled nursing care is intended to keep memory care patients engaged in an atmosphere in which they can thrive while receiving the highest quality of care for their medical needs.
At Prestige, we understand that one of the greatest challenges families may face as their loved one ages is finding them the right level of care for their individual medical needs, especially if they have been diagnosed with some form of cognitive health issues. We use innovative care techniques and life enrichment activities through our Expressions Memory Care Program to provide our memory care patients with an outlet for creativity and help turn daily activities into memorable events. Our goal is to help improve and enhance their quality of life so they can continue living their life to the fullest.
Assistance with Activities of Daily Living
If your loved one is recovering from a hospitalization and requires assistance with activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, and eating, their care needs can be met at a skilled nursing center. A stroke, cardiac event, or suffering a fall can all impact a person’s independence and may affect their ability to achieve activities of daily living. This level of care may require a longer-term approach and while some prefer home health care, a skilled nursing center provides around-the-clock continuous care to ensure their medical needs are being met at all hours of the day.
Your team of highly trained nurses are able to assist with IV therapy, medication management, vital sign monitoring, and much more. Skilled nursing care also offers a variety of physical, occupational, and speech therapy programs intended to help improve your functional mobility, regain muscle memory, and improve communication or swallowing challenges.
Rehabilitation at Prestige Care
A stay at a post-acute care center is meant to be a transitional period to help patients recover and return to their everyday lives.
At Prestige, our clinical and therapy teams are highly skilled and experienced in assisting patients with a wide range of diagnosis while offering continued support throughout the recovery process. We offer a variety of care services including:
- Orthopedic Rehabilitation
- Physical, Occupational, Speech Therapy
- Cardiac & Stroke Rehabilitation
- Dietary Support
- Wound Care
Our skilled nursing care is designed to meet the individual medical needs of each patient while they recover and transition from hospital to home. During your stay at one of our many centers, we will provide you with the tools and support you require for each phase of your recovery journey. We understand skilled nursing care plays a vital role in improving a person’s quality of life and can help support their wellbeing.
Whether you require post-operative care, live with a chronic health condition, need temporary support, experience some form of memory loss, or need assistance with activities of daily living our clinical and therapy teams work with you every step of the way to support your path to recovery. No matter your age or ability, we are here to help you achieve your rehabilitation goals.
