If you have a friend or family member who has tried to get a loved one into Long-Term Skilled Nursing Care, you may have heard them talk about their struggles getting into the right facility. There are some requirements for getting this higher level of Senior Care, but that does not mean it must be difficult. Here, you will learn more about Skilled Nursing Home Care and how you can help a loved one qualify.
At Buckner Calder Woods, we understand that getting Skilled Care for a loved one can be confusing and sometimes frustrating. If you have any questions about our Skilled Nursing Home Care and whether your loved one qualifies, reach out to us at 409.407.7636. We can guide you through the process to make it less daunting so the senior in your life can get the care they need.
What Is Skilled Nursing Care?
Before you learn how to get the right Skilled Nursing Home Care for your loved one, you need to understand what Skilled Nursing Care is and if it may be suitable for the senior in your life. Skilled Nursing Care facilities are staffed by trained professionals who assist seniors with:
- Activities of daily living (ADLs), such as bathing, eating, and dressing
- Medication management
- Monitoring of blood pressure, blood sugar, or other health markers
- Physical, occupational, or speech therapy
Skilled Nursing Home Care may be similar to services in a hospital stay, but it is performed in more comfortable, home-like settings in Senior Living facilities. This allows seniors to have more independence, so they do not require a long-term hospital visit.
How to Help Your Loved One Get Skilled Nursing Home Care
Skilled Nursing Care is generally only available when deemed medically necessary, so it may take a little work to get your loved one into this higher level of care. A senior needs to have a chronic condition or an injury that requires more medical assistance than offered at an Assisted Living facility.
Here are some tips for helping a senior get the Skilled Nursing Care necessary.
Talk to Your Loved One’s Doctor
Speak with your loved one’s doctor about the need for Skilled Nursing Care. This type of Senior Care often requires a doctor’s referral to prove a medical necessity. You may also wish to accompany your loved one to their doctor’s appointment. Then, you can speak with their physician and ensure they know all the pertinent details of your loved one’s condition.
Consider Reaching Out to Medicare
Reach out to Medicaid or Medicare about Skilled Nursing Care coverage. A guaranteed payment method may be required before a Skilled Nursing Care facility accepts a senior. If your loved one does not have Medicaid and Medicare will not cover their treatment, you will have more success getting them into skilled nursing with a private pay plan.
Discuss State Requirements
Check the requirements for Skilled Nursing in your loved one’s state to help you know if your loved one qualifies. Each state has its own guidelines for what constitutes a medical need for Skilled Nursing Care.
Reach Out to Long-Term Care Facilities
Reach out to local Long-Term Skilled Nursing Care facilities to learn about their admissions process and any documents you may need for the application. They may be able to provide you with more details so that you can get your loved one the care they need.
The above suggestions can help you get your beloved senior into Skilled Nursing Care as long as they meet the qualifications. If there are any other requirements, reach out to our experts, who can help point you in the right direction.
Find Support at Buckner Calder Woods
Buckner Calder Woods provides high-quality Skilled Nursing Home Care to residents needing assistance with activities of daily living as well as daily medical care. Call us today at 409.407.7636 to learn more about our Skilled Nursing services and how to begin the admissions process.