After a hospital stay, patients and family members may be faced with an important decision. Should the patient go straight home, or would skilled nursing care be a better option?
While home may seem like an attractive option, some conditions and rehabilitation needs require more care than the patient or loved ones can handle. Going home could be a detriment to recovery.
While Wheat Ridge has a lot of local services, many still may require a car to access them. If a caregiver is stuck in traffic, the patient sitting at home might not be able to get the attention they need.
Understanding when skilled nursing care might be the better option can help patients recover faster and avoid hospital readmissions.
What Qualifies a Person for Skilled Nursing Care?
There are a variety of reasons why a person may qualify for skilled nursing care. It mainly depends on the patient’s condition and possibly on a person’s insurance.
Eligibility often depends on:
- A doctor’s order
- A qualifying condition
- Required care after a hospitalization or injury
Conditions that may qualify a patient include:
- Need for rehabilitation
- Care after a stroke or neurological condition
- Wound care
- People who need assistance with mobility and require physical therapy
Why a Physician May Recommend Skilled Nursing Care?
Skilled nursing may be the right choice if a patient requires:
- Constant monitoring or specialized treatment
- Frequent updates to medications
- IVs
- Monitoring of heart, respiratory, or other conditions
- Wound care
- Oversight after surgery
- Risk of falling
- Intensive rehabilitation
- Lack of support at home
- Assistance with daily activities
Skilled nursing care offers round-the-clock medical and rehabilitation services. This can help patients recovering from surgery, injury, illness, or other hospitalizations.
Facilities may offer the following services:
- Medication and paint management
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Speech therapy
- Wound care
- Nutritional support
Medicare, Medicaid, and insurance may cover skilled nursing care. Patients, however, should check their eligibility.
Why Choose Skilled Nursing Care over Going Home
There are many benefits to working with a skilled nurse, including:
Reduced Chances of Being Readmitted
At a skilled nursing facility, you will get continuous medical care throughout your stay. A nurse can identify issues before they lead to complications that could lead to hospital readmission.
Improved Recovery Outcomes
Patients will receive consistent rehabilitation. This rehabilitation is designed to help patients improve mobility, increase strength, and regain daily living skills.
Multidisciplinary Team
Skilled nursing care typically involves many different fields, including:
- Physicians
- Registered nurses
- Occupational therapists
- Speech therapists
- Physical therapists
- Dietitians
Safer Transition to Home
Staying at a facility can help patients gain the strength, skills, and confidence to return home successfully. To prepare for discharge, the care team will work closely with the patient and caregivers. They will ensure that the home is safe and has all the needed adaptive equipment.
The discharge plan might also include:
- Caregiver and patient education
- Coordinate any required follow-up care
- Creating individualized care plans
With the skills to get back to normal life, patients can be sure that they are ready for the transition to their own home.
Lakeside Post Acute Can Assist with Recovery
Lakeside Post Acute in Wheat Ridge, CO, offers long- and short-term rehabilitation, 24/7 skilled nursing, and hospice services. When patients come to us, they can benefit from ongoing medical support, rehabilitation services, and supervision.
Our team will work closely with caregivers and patients to ensure that the transition to home is safe, supported, and can be done confidently.