What is Skilled Nursing?

Sometimes a few days at the hospital just isn’t enough time for your body to recover. If you need a little extra time and assistance, a doctor or hospital may refer you to a skilled nursing facility to help get you back on your feet. 

Our skilled nursing communities provide the healthcare resources you need, such as physical, occupational and speech therapy, in a supportive environment. Our skilled nursing team provides around-the-clock licensed nursing care seven days per week. We’re here to help you throughout your journey to recovery, whether during a long-term stay or short term rehabilitation.

What is Skilled Nursing?

An Inside Look at Our Specialized Care

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The Two Types of Skilled Nursing Care

Short-Term Care

Our short-term care programs are designed to provide you with temporary care after life events such as a surgery, illness or accident. With round-the-clock, licensed nursing care and a variety of physical, speech and occupational therapies, we can help you get back to you normal life as soon as possible.

If you need short-term care, you can benefit from any of our programs, including: 

  • Cardiac care
  • Orthopedic care
  • Stroke recovery care
  • Pulmonary care
  • Wound care
  • Diabetes care
  • Transplant care
  • Nutrition therapy
  • Pain management
  • Intravenous therapy

Long-Term Care

In addition to our short-term recovery and rehabilitation programs, we also provide long-term care if you or a your loved one needs 24-hour nursing care on an on-going basis and access to a range of physical, speech and occupational therapies. In some communities, we also offer respite and palliative care in a warm and supportive environment designed to keep you or your loved one as comfortable as possible.

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Skilled Nursing Services

Because each patient in a skilled nursing facility has unique needs and circumstances, we provide a comprehensive range of advanced medical resources to make sure everyone receives the quality care they deserve. 

From round-the-clock care and on-site rehabilitation professionals to assistance with daily activities, our trained teams are there seven days a week to support you in your recovery. And because life doesn’t come to a halt just because you’re in skilled nursing, you can even take advantage of amenities like our daily events calendar, quality dining program and entertainment programs. 

Here are a few of the services that are often available in a skilled nursing facility:

Skilled Nursing

  • Post-surgical Care
  • Medication Management
  • Pain Management
  • Wound Care
  • Oxygen Therapy
  • Continence Care
  • Catheter Care
  • Colostomy Care
  • Nutrition and Hydration Programs
  • Diabetes Care
  • Cardiac Care
  • CVA/Stroke Care
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Joint Replacement/Fracture Care
  • IV Therapy/TPN/Antibiotic Management

Rehabilitation

  • Physical Therapy
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Speech Therapy
  • Orthopedic Rehab
  • Neurologic Rehab for Stroke, Multiple Sclerosis, and Parkinson's
  • Fall Management Program
  • Dysphagia/Swallowing Program (VitalStim)
  • Adaptive/Assistive Equipment
  • Activities of Daily Living Retraining
  • Home Assessment/Visit for a Safe Discharge
  • Balance and Vestibular Therapy

Healthcare Team

  • Registered Nurse
  • Licensed Therapists
  • Licensed Practical Nurse
  • Certified Nursing Assistants
  • Registered Dietician/Nutritionist
  • Healthcare Administrator
  • Medical Director
  • Healthcare Liaison

Services & Amenities

  • 24-hour Licensed Nursing Care
  • Individualized Care Plans and Transition Support
  • Resident and Family Care Meetings
  • Daily Activities and Programs
  • Daily Housekeeping and Laundry Service
  • Emergency Call Response in Every Room
  • Private or Companion Accommodations
  • Fine Dining with Heart-healthy Options
  • Spacious, Comfortable Common Areas
  • Beautifully Landscaped Gardens and Grounds
  • iPads and Wi-Fi for Individual Engagement
  • Art, Technology, and Music Programs
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Common Questions About Skilled Nursing

It’s common for the hospital social worker or case manager to arrange transportation before passing along the information to you, your emergency contact and us. It’s important to know ahead of time that transportation costs are not covered by Medicare or insurance, but the hospital social worker or case manager can tell you how much you can expect to pay.

When you arrive on campus, you’ll be greeted by our friendly care team who will be ready and waiting to help you to your room. You’ll also play an active role in the admission process, answering questions about your health and status. We know the first few days may feel a little bumpy since you’ll be in a new place with new people, which is why we encourage you to ask any questions or share any concerns you may have.

Your medication list comes from the hospital, and our admissions nurses will verify it with your physician and send it to the pharmacy. We have a limited supply of specific medications on hand in case of an emergency. But if you need pain medication, we recommend asking for it at the hospital before you transfer to one of our facilities.

There’s a good chance your medications are covered if you are using Medicare or insurance to cover your time in skilled nursing. But if you are paying with private funds and have a prescription drug plan, you may have a copay. If you are paying with private funds and do not have a prescription drug plan, you’re responsible for paying for your medications.

If your physician doesn’t follow patients to rehabilitation, skilled nursing and transitional care, we have a list of several expert physicians to choose from. But once you are discharged from our care, you’ll be asked to follow up with your primary care physician.

Because we provide therapy services on campus seven days a week, you can often meet with a therapist the same day you arrive for an evaluation. Once the evaluation is complete, the therapy team will be ready to begin your personalized plan of care, which determines the frequency and duration of your sessions.

Our primary goal here is to help you recover and return home. Because we want to see you succeed, you’ll have a therapy program designed specifically for you. And we can make adjustments to your plan as needed.

Since you will be up and dressed each day, you want clothes that feel comfortable and are easy to get on and off. We recommend bringing sweatpants and sweatshirts or shorts and t-shirts for therapy appointments as well as rubber-soled shoes. You’ll also want to bring things like undergarments, pajamas, socks, slippers and a robe. You’re also welcome to bring any preferred toiletry items you’d like to use during your stay.

You and your family are always welcome to discuss your progress and upcoming plans for discharge during care conferences held periodically throughout your stay.

Many of our locations offer computers and free WiFi, which means you can use our electronic devices, or bring and use your own.

We have a variety of group programs as well as individual activities on campus, and we encourage you to participate in campus daily life as much as possible.

Our social services director or case manager can help you get the medical equipment you need before the end of your stay at one of our facilities. And more often than not, necessary equipment ordered by the physician is covered by Medicare or insurance.

With your permission, one of our representatives may reach out after you leave to make sure you feel comfortable being back home. If you decide you need any home health or private duty nursing services, we can help you arrange additional care with an agency. In fact, we offer private in-home care in select locations.

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Further Reading

Learn more about the costs associated with skilled nursing.

Ease your concerns about skilled nursing by learning what to expect.

From regular visits to bringing mementos, support your loved one in the best way.