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Planning Ahead: A Consumer's Guide
to Nursing Facilities
By planning ahead you can find the quality of care and
quality of life that you desire in a nursing facility for yourself
or your loved one.
Today's nursing facilities (often
referred to as nursing homes, extended care services, or health care
centers) serve the young and old alike, both those who expect to recover
fully as well as those in need of extended long term care services.
The goal of care in a nursing facility is to help individuals meet
their daily physical, social, medical, and psychological needs and
to return home whenever possible.
Whether you're thinking about
a nursing facility for a relative, a friend, or yourself, this guide
will help you make the best selection.
Services
Four basic types of services are
offered by nursing facilities:
-
Medical Care
Residents in nursing facilities are under the care of physicians,
who visit regularly and are responsible for the residents' overall
plan of care. Physicians certify the need for nursing care and
may serve as a resource for information about long term care
facilities in the community. When individuals enter the facility,
physicians write orders for necessary medication and play a
role in the development of the residents' care plan, including
restorative and rehabilitative procedures, special diets, and
treatments. Every nursing facility has a physician on staff
or on call to handle emergencies.
-
Nursing and Rehabilitative
Care
All nursing facilities require the professional skills of a
registered or licensed practical nurse. Nursing services include
assessment, treatments, injections, coordination of care, and
medication administration. Rehabilitative services such as post-hospital
stroke, heart, or orthopedic care are available in addition
to related services such as respiratory therapy, physical therapy,
occupational therapy, or speech therapy. Dental services, dietary
consultation, laboratory, x-ray, and pharmaceutical services
are also available.
-
Personal Care
Personal care is provided to residents who need help with various
activities such as walking, getting in and out of bed, bathing,
dressing, and eating. Certified nurse assistants provide many
of these services.
-
Residential Care
Residential care services include general supervision, provided
within a safe and secure environment, along with a variety of
with a variety of programs to meet the social and spiritual needs
of residents.
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