Skill At Every Level
May 9, 2024 | Assisted Living, Benaroya Community Services, Health & Wellness, Kline Galland Home
Skilled nursing care combines compassion and expertise to provide a variety of health and personal care services. About 66% of Americans will need some type of long-term skilled healthcare assistance as they age. To celebrate National Skilled Nursing Care Week, here are lesser-known facts about skilled nursing as well as the common types of skilled care available.
Skilled Nursing Care Facts
Skilled nursing facilities provide the highest level of medical care outside of a hospital. Over 4 million nurses work in skilled nursing alongside other medical professionals including physical and occupational therapists, audiologists, speech pathologists, and nutritionists. In fact, over 25% of those employed by skilled nursing are healthcare practitioners. Over 1 million people stayed in a skilled nursing facility in 2022. Locations that provide skilled nursing are regulated, monitored, and inspected by state agencies as well as by Medicare and Medicaid. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) visits and scores facilities on health, staffing, and quality. You can find these public records online at . (s, the highest possible.)
Types of Skilled Nursing Care
Skilled nursing care has adapted over the years to meet continuously evolving care needs and to provide the most up-to-date treatments. Currently, skilled nursing can be classified into three types, each tailored to address specific health challenges and provide comprehensive support to individuals at different stages of life.
- Short-Term/Rehabilitation Care. Short-term skilled nursing care caters to individuals recuperating from surgery, injury, or acute medical conditions, aiming to restore their independence and functionality. This specialized care often includes rehabilitative therapies, like physical, occupational, and speech therapy. Some providers, like Kline Galland, also offer nutritional guidance, electrical stimulation, and continuous passive range of motion (CPM) treatments.
- Long-Term Care. Long-term skilled nursing care provides a nurturing environment for individuals who require continuous help because of chronic conditions or disabilities, such as Alzheimer’s, stroke, diabetes, or congestive heart failure. Most long-term nursing care provides 24-hour medical attention, activities of daily living assistance, medication management, and restorative services. Kline Galland and other highly rated facilities also focus on residents’ holistic well-being, including personalized nutritional support and planning to nurture overall health.
- Memory Care. Memory care units within skilled nursing facilities offer specialized support for individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or other cognitive impairments. Uniquely trained, the staff in these units provide a safe and structured environment. They use innovative therapies to exercise each resident’s cognitive function, minimize behavioral symptoms, and ensure overall well-being for residents and their families. also recognizes the importance of personal connections, so caregivers serve small groups, fostering close relationships with every resident.
National Skilled Nursing Care Week is a good reminder of the dedication and talents embodied at every level of nursing care. Join us in acknowledging and appreciating the invaluable contributions of skilled nursing professionals who give exceptional care every day for all their patients.
###
Sources: NextAvenue.org; WashingtonPost; CMS; AssistedLiving.org; VeryWell Health; United Healthcare; SeniorsGuide.com; Kaiser Family Foundation.
