A skilled nursing facility (SNF) is a medical setting where patients go after a hospital stay. These facilities are similar to typical nursing homes, but they offer additional rehabilitative services such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical management, and other medical services. Individuals can also receive the same skilled nursing care at home, offering convenience and peace of mind.
Let's look at other benefits of receiving skilled nursing care, whether in your home or at a SNF.
1. Personalized Health Assessment
Skilled nursing care requires a personal, in-depth assessment. These assessments evaluate current health conditions, living environment, decision-making ability, and medical, physical, and emotional needs, along with other needs-specific information. Assessments are completed regularly based on Medicare requirements, state or accrediting body requirements, or with a change in the patient's condition.
2. 24/7 Personalized Healthcare from Experts
Skilled nurses are licensed medical professionals who provide services such as wound care, infusions, care coordination, and chronic disease monitoring. Individuals who need skilled nursing may have a chronic or terminal illness, have a disability, or are older adults with changing needs. Some may be recovering from injuries or living with a chronic disease. Skilled nursing enables a personal approach to healthcare that can be modified quickly as needs evolve.
3. Quality of Life
A higher quality of life is always the goal, especially for those with chronic or terminal conditions. Beyond medical support, skilled nursing care can significantly improve quality of life by supporting daily tasks like hygiene, grooming, and meal preparation, ensuring clients feel comfortable and cared for while maintaining their dignity and confidence.
4. Socialization
In addition to meeting a client’s medical and personal care needs, skilled nursing care can also help alleviate isolation and loneliness. Residents in a SNF often benefit from increased opportunities for socialization with nurses, fellow residents, and visiting volunteers or staff who run group activities and events. Whether through daily care, conversations, games, shared meals, or other interactions, regular social engagement and connection encourages a feeling of belonging and can positively impact both mood and health outcomes.
5. Safety Is a Top Priority
Safety is always top of mind for skilled nursing facilities, in-home health care providers, and family members. While most SNFs are equipped with ramps, railings, wheelchair-friendly doorways, and robust alert systems, comprehensive personalized assessments can identify changes needed in the home environment to minimize fall risk and help make bathrooms and cooking areas safe.
Another safety concern for individuals under in-home or facility care is receiving proper, sometimes life-sustaining medications. They ensure clients are taking the proper medication at the right time and dose. In a home care setting, skilled nurses manage clients’ medication regimens. They can also show clients and their family caregivers how to operate a glucose machine, administer shots, and handle other care needs.
6. Reduce Family Caregiver Burnout
Caring for loved ones due to illness, injury, or accident (both short-term and long-term) can lead to emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion. The primary reason for caregiver burnout is the lack of educational, physical, emotional, and financial support and resources.
Having a qualified, licensed professional nursing team help manage the day-to-day care for your loved one leaves you more time to fill your emotional reserves. Taking care of yourself is not a luxury; it is a necessity.
7. Faster Recovery & Lower Risk of Hospital Readmission
Skilled nursing or a skilled nursing facility's primary goal is to get patients back on their feet so they can return to living an independent and active, healthy life. Nurses can lower the chance of hospital readmission by helping you or your loved one become stronger through diet, medication management, physical therapy, maintaining your blood pressure, and other specific treatments. Medical monitoring allows nurses to identify potential issues early and adjust as necessary.
Choosing Between In-Home and Facility-Based Skilled Nursing Care
When you’re in need of skilled nursing care for yourself or a loved one, it’s not always obvious or easy to pick between in-home or facility-based options. Both have their advantages, so it comes down to which best fits your needs and goals. Review the unique benefits of in-home care services versus facility-based care you can feel confident and at peace with your choice.
Criteria | In-Home Skilled Nursing Care | Facility-Based Skilled Nursing Care |
|---|---|---|
| Environment | Familiar surroundings; more comforting for dementia or anxiety; accommodates to personal comfort needs | Professional setting with 24/7 supervision and medical equipment |
| Care Customization | Highly personalized 1:1 care; flexible scheduling | Care plans designed by interdisciplinary teams; standardized structure |
| Family Involvement | HIGH - Family can oversee and stay involved daily | MODERATE - Staff takes the lead and family visits during set hours |
| Emergency Preparedness | Depends on home setup and caregiver response time | On-site emergency response systems and trained medical staff |
| Social Interaction | May be limited unless supplemented with programs | Built-in social structure; activities, group meals, peer engagement |
| Cost | Can be lower if care needs are light and intermittent | May be more cost-effective for intensive, round-the-clock care |
| Ideal For | Seniors and people with limited mobility who need flexible, non-intensive daily care; people living with dementia, anxiety, or other chronic conditions | Seniors and people of all ages rehabbing from injuries, surgeries, or other acute conditions who have post-hospital recovery needs |
Frequently Asked Questions About Skilled Nursing
Get Started with Skilled Nursing Care at Home
Many find that the biggest benefit of skilled nursing for clients is the option to receive quality medical care at home. The little things, like being surrounded by those comforts of home, can make a big difference in how fast you return to your healthy self and improve overall quality of life.
If you or a loved one could benefit from skilled nursing, in-home therapies or other home care services, please contact a BrightStar Home Care agency near you or call 866.618.7827.