Several types of institutional care, often grouped together under the generic title "nursing homes," include independent care facilities, skilled nursing facilities and supported living facilities. When looking for an appropriate facility for family, understand the difference between these types of facilities. Select the correct facility according to your family member's primary physician's recommendations.
Skilled Nursing Facilities
A skilled nursing facility is a medical institution, first. It is the type of home that most approximates the idea of a nursing home. Many patients just coming out of a hospital still need skilled care from registered nurses and licensed practical nurses. An SNF is a facility where you place persons requiring these skilled nurses. Not all patients in a nursing home are elderly. Persons of all ages might find they can't get the proper care at home. In such cases, an SNF might be the best place to be to recover from a surgery or a debilitating illness. Most rooms look like hospital rooms. Staff members take care of all cleaning needs and usually serve meals to patients in their rooms, on trays.
Independent Care Facilities
People in an independent care facility might not be especially ill and won't need skilled nursing, but they might need oversight to ensure their ongoing health and welfare. Many seniors who might be frail but otherwise mentally sharp might be a good match for an ICF. They will usually have a private room that often includes a small kitchenette. Staff usually helps with cleaning and laundry. A facility restaurant usually provides food service. If the resident becomes ill, they might transfer to a skilled nursing wing or floor until they recover enough to go back to fully independent living quarters.
Supported Living Facilities
Supported living facilities offer a greater degree of help for the residents compared to an independent living home, but will fall short of the nurse-intensive staffing found at a skilled nursing facility. Residents in SLFs might have semi-private rooms with roommates. They might need help with bathing and dressing or might need supervision in taking prescription medications. Staff provides cleaning and laundry. Most SLF rooms lack private kitchen areas. Residents eat in a facility cafeteria or take meals in their rooms.
Other Group Homes
Many seniors and persons with disabilities require assisted living care at group homes if they can no longer live alone at home because of mental impairments or disabilities. RNs or LPNs are usually not on staff at these homes and trained assistants and social workers provide most of the care. Most group homes house residents in double- or triple-occupancy rooms that look more like bedrooms than full apartments. Residents usually eat meals in a common dining room. Many group homes feature a full schedule of activities or therapies designed with the disabilities of the residents in mind.
Hospice Group Homes
Hospice group homes are facilities for persons diagnosed with a terminal illness, one expected to run its course within six months. Primary physicians recommend their patients to hospice care as an alternative to more expensive and less personal hospital stays. Caregivers and licensed nurses staff hospice homes and attend patients with their daily needs and special palliative care needs, such as pain management. When a hospice patient cannot go home to receive hospice care, they can transfer to a group hospice home, or a hospice wing of a nursing home.
References
- "Nursing Homes and Assisted Living: The Family's Guide to Making Decisions and Getting Good Care"; Peter S. Silin; 2009
- "When Someone You Love Needs Nursing Home, Assisted Living, or In-Home Care"; Robert F. Bornstein and Mary A. Languirand Ph.D.; 2009
- "Design for Assisted Living: Guidelines for Housing the Physically and Mentally Frail"; Victor Regnier; 2002
- "Eldercare for Dummies"; Rachelle Zukerman; 2003
- Nursing Home Rank: Different Types of Nursing Home Care
