Nursing Homes

When a senior needs daily medical care or rehabilitation after a surgery, accident or illness, you will need to consider a nursing home or home care.

A nursing home is a community licensed to provide health care and services involved in managing complex and potentially serious medical problems.

Per Wikipedia, a nursing home, also known as a skilled nursing unit (SNU) or facility (SNF), care home or rest home provides a specific type of care for residents: it is a place of residence for people who require constant nursing care and have significant deficiencies with activities of daily living… Residents in an SNF may also receive physical, occupational, and other rehabilitative therapies following an accident or illness.

Nursing Homes Vary By State

Depending on their State location, nursing homes in different States may be defined in different ways. For example:

South Dakota Nursing Homes - Nursing Facilities (nursing homes) are licensed by the State of South Dakota, and may be certified by Medicare and /or Medicaid. They may admit and retain those elderly or disabled who require care by licensed nurses. Nursing Facilities also have a medical director and are staffed with licensed nurses.

Wyoming Nursing Homes - A Nursing Care Facility or Nursing Home is a facility which is currently licensed and certified to provide skilled nursing services and intermediate nursing services or intermediate nursing services only to elderly or disabled individuals.

Utah Nursing Homes - In Utah, a Nursing Facility or Nursing Home is a level of care that provides 24 hour inpatient care to elderly, sick or disabled residents who need licensed nursing supervision. The complexity of the prescribed services must be performed by or under the close supervision of licensed health care personnel.

Minnesota Nursing Homes - In Minnesota, a Nursing Home is a facility or that part of a facility which provides nursing care to five or more elderly or disabled persons. Care involves health evaluation and treatment of patients and residents who are not in need of an acute care facility but who require nursing supervision on an inpatient basis.

New York Nursing Homes - Nursing Homes are facilities that provide skilled nursing services and chronic custodial care to elderly or disabled patients. They are licensed and regulated by the New York State Department of Health.

Oregon Nursing Homes - Nursing Facilities provide nursing care on a 24 hour basis in a hospital-like setting including skilled care, rehabilitation, and end-of-life-care. Nursing Facilities are most appropriate for elderly or disabled people who need a more protective setting. Many residents have medical and behavioral needs that cannot be met in other care settings. Oregon requires that all residents be screened before they enter a Nursing Facility to match the residents’ service needs to the level of care they receive. This screening also helps residents and their families explore other possible settings. Nursing Facilities are inspected, licensed and monitored by SDSD in compliance with both state and federal regulations.

Nursing Home Costs

The current average cost for nursing care is $205 - $229/day for a semi-private vs. a private room. Most accept Medicare & Medicaid & some VA to cover the cost.

Nursing homes are licensed by the state in which they are located and are inspected at regular intervals. You can ask at the facility to see the latest inspection report or visit the licensing agency’s website (link to state resources page) to view any deficiencies and corrections.

Click here to find a nursing home in your area.

Resources

Articles

Important Questions You Should Ask

Nursing Home Checklist

Resident Rights