Elderly Nursing Homes
Elderly nursing homes have different functions and licensing requirements than assisted living facilities.
San Diego County nursing homes are regulated by the Department of Public Health.
Nursing homes, commonly called skilled nursing facilities, have medical personnel on site at all times. Nurses there can provide medical services for conditions that an assisted living facility cannot legally perform.
These services include, but are not limited to, feeding tubes, IV therapy, and late stage wounds.
It’s very common for seniors and their families to believe elderly nursing homes are needed when in fact assisted living may be appropriate.
And if an assisted living home or community is possible, it may provide a better long term quality of life than a nursing home.
Please contact us any time about these differences.
Care Provided In Elderly Nursing Homes
Nursing homes (skilled nursing) in San Diego County provide two types of care. They are:
Short Term Care
Skilled nursing facilities provide short term care for rehabilitation, sometimes at an acute care level. Therapy may include physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, respiratory therapy or other prescribed therapy.
Long Term Care
Skilled nursing facilities provide long term care for patients who require custodial care and/or are qualified for MediCaid (called MediCal in California).
Did You Know?
Skilled nursing facility is the new term. These used to be called elderly nursing homes or convalescent homes.
Long term skilled nursing care is not covered by MediCare or private health insurance. It must be paid privately or by Medi-Cal.
The vast majority of skilled nursing beds are occupied by a Medi-Cal beneficiary.
Lise of Elder Answers and her mom.