Short-Term Skilled Nursing Rehab vs Nursing Home: What Are The Differences
Short-term skilled nursing rehab facilities and nursing homes care for patients who no longer need hospital care but are not well enough to return home independently. However, each facility provides a different level and type of care. Knowing what kind of care best suits you is crucial if you or a loved one needs care due to an accident, surgery, or illness. We will explore the differences between short-term rehab and nursing home care so you can make an informed decision.
What is Short-Term Skilled Nursing Rehab, and What Does Care Look Like?
Short-term skilled nursing rehab typically follows a hospital stay for patients who have been in an accident, had surgery, or are recovering from a serious illness. During a short-term skilled nursing rehab stay, patients receive different therapies to aid their recovery. This allows patients to receive the necessary care while getting strong enough to regain their independence and return home. Often, Medicare will cover the cost if it follows time in the hospital.[1]
Types of Care a Short-Term Skilled Nursing Rehab Facility Provides
Short-term skilled nursing rehab facilities provide a variety of therapies, including:
- Physical Therapy
- Occupational Therapy
- Speech Pathology
- Audiologist Aid
- Medically-necessary services by licensed nurses
Unlike a nursing home, staying at a short-term skilled nursing facility is temporary. When the patient is strong enough, they will return home.
Medical Conditions That Can Benefit from Short-Term SKilled Nursing Rehab
Short-term rehab is best suited for people who are recovering from certain medical conditions, including:
- Knee & Hip Surgery
- Bypass Surgery
- Stroke
- Surgical Wounds
- General Surgery
- Cardiac Conditions
People recovering from certain infectious diseases can also benefit from care at these facilities.
Benefits of Short-Term Skilled nursing Rehab Care
If you choose to stay at a short-term rehab facility, many benefits come with it. This includes:
- Lower Risk of Hospital Readmission
- Recovery in a Safe Environment
- Access to Around-the-Clock Care
- Personalized Treatment
When patients choose a short-term rehab center, they receive care from licensed professionals specializing in their needs. The center has a schedule that addresses the different types of care so that patients always receive what they need to get better.
What Type of Care Does a Nursing Home Provide?
Unlike a short-term rehab facility, a nursing home is usually a permanent placement. People at a nursing home typically need 24-hour care that cannot be provided at home. They can not live independently and generally have a condition that will impede them from doing so in the future, despite the type of care they receive now.
A nursing home can help with feeding and mobility, incontinence and transfers, and time-sensitive medication management. It can also offer different therapies, including speech and physical therapies.
At a nursing home, residents are encouraged to interact with each other. Group activities and meals are offered so that patients can form relationships and remain social. Medicare or private pay can cover nursing home expenses.
Benefits of Nursing Home Care
Choosing nursing home care comes with several benefits, including:
- 24-hour care
- Meals
- Help with daily activities
- Social work services
If you or a loved one have a condition that requires care that cannot be provided elsewhere, a nursing home can be a viable option. Touring facilities before deciding on a facility is essential because nursing homes are not created equal. Some provide better levels of care than others, so it’s vital to know the type of care you will receive.
Short-Term SKilled Nursing Rehab Care at Santé
Santé offers highly-rated short-term skilled nursing rehab care for patients in Chandler, Mesa, North Scottsdale, and Surprise, Arizona. Patients will receive care based on their specific needs and conditions. Our therapy sessions help patients to meet their recovery goals and transition home as quick as possible.
Patients at our facilities have access to private suites with kitchenettes and world-class exercise equipment. They can also enjoy nutritious meals in a restaurant-style dining atmosphere with an on-site bistro for snacks.
Contact Santé today to learn more about our facilities and how they can best help you or your loved one on the path to recovery.
Sources:
[1] https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/skilled-nursing-facility-snf-care
Dan is Vice President, Marketing of the Alumus family of companies. A Seattle native, he earned his BA in Humanities and Political Science at Evergreen State College. He started his career as a newspaper columnist, eventually transitioning into marketing and tech writing for Microsoft and several other startups. He later launched a successful creative agency focused on branding, digital marketing, and content production in Los Angeles, where he worked for several nursing and behavioral health clients, eventually becoming the National Marketing Director for one of them.
He has taught Vipassana mindfulness meditation and MBSR and spends whatever free time he has with his son snowboarding, hiking, and camping in the mountains.
