Skilled Nursing

A skilled nursing facility is state licensed to provide room and board, nursing care, supervision and medical care.  These facilities are also referred to as convalescent homes, rehabilitation homes or hospitals, or nursing homes.  They provide the type of extended nursing care not given in assisted living or residential care homes.  Skilled nursing facilities, at a minimum, include skilled nursing, dietary and pharmaceutical services and an activity program.  Skilled nursing facilities provide three levels of care defined as basic, skilled and sub-acute.  Basic care is the level of care required to maintain daily living activities and includes personal care and supervision.  Skilled care is for residents needing the services of a registered nurse or other medical professional on a regular basis for treatments and procedures.  Sub-acute care is comprehensive inpatient care for someone who has an acute illness or injury and requires frequent patient assessment.  Facilities usually bill for two types of charges.  There are standard daily rates for room, care, and some nursing services, and extra charges for any services not included in the basic rate such as therapies, pharmacy, wheelchairs, dental care, hand feeding or care for incontinence.  Skilled nursing facilities are generally the most expensive senior housing option.  Thus, financial planning is critical since private insurance, Medicaid and Medicare have only limited provisions for skilled nursing care.  A skilled nursing facility may be the best and only alternative when an individual needs 24-hour nursing care and supervision.