Q: When should patients and family caregivers choose a skilled nursing facility over home care for recovery & rehabilitation?
A: Patients who need rehabilitation services following an injury, illness or surgery should be well informed about their options before hospital discharge. Although many people lean toward home-based care at first, they may be unaware of care considerations that make skilled nursing facility rehab a better option.
How well a person can manage for themselves when they leave a hospital should be carefully considered in the decision-making process. At the seven Plaza Health Network skilled care facilities, the patient focus is on return to greater independence as quickly as possible.
Home rehabilitation might make sense when a person only requires a few hours of assistance per day. However, when nursing and rehab needs are greater, home services and equipment can get very expensive and might not be covered by insurance.
Always consider the extent and availability of a person’s support network. Family and friends who offer to help mean well, but the realities of caring for a loved one become demanding very quickly, driving up stress levels for both the patient and caregiver. Sending the loved one to a care center like Plaza Health Network can provide the education and preparation to becoming a successful caregiver.
Skilled nursing facility (SNF) rehabilitation provides a less stressful and more reassuring experience for everyone. More social interaction, caring staff and immediate access to other clinical services are among the pluses of choosing in-patient rehabilitation. In fact, many people who receive SNF rehab services report a very positive, pleasant experience and a faster recovery due to intense rehab services.
Not only are well-trained staff on hand at a SNF, but they can educate caregivers on best practices for further rehabilitation. These trained professionals also allow family and loved ones to take a break and focus some time on their own needs.
