WHAT IS A NURSING HOME?
A nursing home, also known as a skilled nursing
facility is a place that provides 24 hour care.
These facilities provide skilled nursing care,
personal care, custodial care, and rehabilitative
care to persons who are ill, recuperating after
surgery or physically weak. Some may also offer
respite care to give relief to a family caregiver.
A nursing home can be freestanding or part
of a continuing care retirement community
(CCRC) (see page 10). A CCRC allows residents
to move from one level of care to another,
as needed, and can include independent living,
assisted living, and/or a nursing home. A hospital
can also house a skilled nursing unit that
serves patients who need short-term care and
rehabilitation services.
WHO NEEDS A NURSING HOME?
There are generally two kinds of people that
need a nursing home.
1. People recuperating after a hospital stay
from an illness or injury. There is usually
limited time to find a nursing home before being
discharged from the hospital. Family and
friends may help in the nursing home search/
evaluation process by visiting nursing homes
while the patient is in the hospital.
2. People who need 24 hour intermediate or
custodial care, more care than an assisted
living facility or home care agency can provide.
The person needing this kind of care
may not have an immediate time constraint
to find a nursing home. When this occurs,
proper time can be taken to thoroughly
evaluate which home is right for their care
needs.
IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS
Things to understand before choosing a
nursing home.
1. Educate yourself about the nursing homes
you are considering. Use our extensive
Nursing Homes
OVERVIEW
“Questions to Ask” Comparison Worksheet
to evaluate three facilities you are considering.
If your time frame for finding and choosing
a nursing home is limited, use our Nursing
Home Quick Tip List (later in this article).
2. Understand costs and financial considerations.
• What services and products are covered by
your insurance(s)?
• How long are you covered for?
• What charges are you responsible for paying?
• What does your long-term outlook look
like? (In terms of care needed and financial
future.)
3. Know your rights and responsibilities
as a patient in a nursing home. Visit
Florida’s Long Term Care Ombudsman
Program at Ombudsman.MyFlorida.com/
ResidenceRights for more information.
FINDING A NURSING HOME:
THE PROCESS
Educate Yourself Early
Education is the key to making sure you
choose the nursing home that is best for
you or your loved one. Start the process
early by educating yourself as soon as it is
determined that a nursing facility is needed
and by consulting key advisors that you trust.
Studies show that those who do their due
diligence will have an overall better nursing
home experience than those who do not.
There is a difference in the quality of care and
the services provided among nursing facilities.
Some are better than others.
What Care Services Do You Need?
The medical needs of nursing home residents
vary greatly between individuals. Likewise,
the nursing care services available vary
greatly between facilities. Although every nurs-
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