5 Ways to Choose the Right Skilled Nursing Facility

As our loved ones age, there may come a time when we need to look into finding a skilled nursing facility (SNF). Skilled nursing facilities provide 24-hour medical care and assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), making them a great option for those who are no longer able to live on their own or in assisted living. But with so many options available, how do you choose the right skilled nursing facility?

The best solution is to give yourself time to research the skilled nursing facilities that will best match your needs. With this decision, you will be able to make an informed choice about where your loved ones should live. Unfortunately, you may not always have enough time to make these decisions. If there is a swift change in your loved ones' mental or physical health that warrants a skilled nursing facility, or if placement is needed after surgery, decisions will have to be made quickly. 

Whether you are looking for a skilled nursing facility quickly or if you have some time to spare, this article will help you to make the best decision possible about choosing the ideal skilled nursing facility. 

What is a skilled nursing facility?

Skilled nursing facilities are the best option for those who need medical assistance that goes beyond just providing therapy. They provide short-term rehabilitation services, long-term care, and even hospice care to make sure that your loved one is well taken care of. Skilled nursing facilities are equipped to provide round-the-clock staffing and care services for residents who need it. Skilled nursing facilities offer:

• Assistance with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating
• Medication management
• Wound care and surgical recovery
• Personalized health care options and living arrangements
• Occupational, speech, and physical therapy

5 things to look for when choosing a skilled nursing facility

Services offered 

Skilled nursing facilities offer a variety of services, depending on the level of care plan that is needed. Most facilities offer assistance with ADLs, such as bathing, dressing, and grooming. They may offer more comprehensive medical care, including treatments for injuries or chronic conditions. It is important to choose a skilled nursing facility that provides the services that your loved one needs. Here are a few services to look into to add to your loved one’s quality of life.

• Medical - Each facility should have physicians available for emergencies. Whether on staff or on call, a good facility allows residents to be treated as often as necessary.
• Hospitalization - In the event of an emergency, a good long-term care facility will have arrangements in place to ensure residents receive prompt medical attention. Ask the administration what plans they have in case of an emergency.
• Nursing - Nursing care is a highly individualized experience. The care of each resident by the nursing home staff may directly affect the resident’s well-being. The facility should have staff members for skilled nursing care that are licensed practical nurses (LPN) on duty day and night, a registered nurse (RN) on most shifts, and certified nursing assistants (CNA) who come into contact frequently with the residents and help with bathing, dressing, feeding, and other personal care needs.
• Rehabilitation - It is important to have a team of specialists available who can help residents regain lost abilities, such as walking and talking.
• Activities - Having activity programming prevents isolation and helps residents develop relationships with others.
• Religious services - Some seniors may want to attend religious services. If this is important to your loved one, make sure that these services are offered in the facility or see if they can accommodate virtual services.
• Food - Meal planning is an important part of providing the best possible senior care for the residents at mealtime. A dietitian should create meals that are balanced, varied, and tasty while considering all their nutritional needs in order to make sure they get everything needed from their diet.
• Grooming - A good facility will have an on-site barber or beautician.

Location

You'll want to choose a skilled nursing facility that is conveniently close to you and your loved ones. If you are the one needing care, being close to your family is important. If it is a choice for your loved one, find a facility that is easy to get to. Also, consider things like public transportation and local amenities. It would also be beneficial if the skilled nursing facility was near a local hospital. 

Cost

Skilled nursing facilities can be costly, so it's important to compare costs between different options. Be sure to consider things like insurance coverage and government benefits when budgeting for nursing home care. If you enter a SNF straight from a hospital, Medicare will often pay for a limited time. When a person enters a SNF straight from home it typically comes out of their pocket. Medicaid is used when a person’s resources are spent. Medicaid provides funding that will pay most SNF costs for people with limited income. Medicaid eligibility varies from state to state and is only provided to people who are in Medicaid-certified facilities. 

When will Medicare cover SNF care? Medicare will cover SNF care if the following conditions are met:

• You have Medicare Part A and have days left in your benefit period to use
• You have a qualifying hospital stay that is three consecutive days or more, starting with the day the hospital admits you
• You need SNF services that your doctor has ordered, which require the skills of professional personnel like registered nurses
• You need and require skilled special care on a daily basis
• You need a skilled service for an ongoing condition or when a new condition appears while getting care for a previous condition
• The skilled services must be necessary for the treatment of your condition
• You receive care in a Medicare-certified SNF

How long does Medicare cover SNF care? A benefit period is used to determine your use of hospital and SNF services. A benefit period is defined by the day you are admitted as an inpatient in a hospital or SNF. You can get up to 100 days of SNF coverage in a benefit period. Once those 100 days have been used your current benefit period must end before you can renew your SNF benefits. You must pay the inpatient hospital amount for each benefit period. There are no limits to the number of benefit periods you may have. Once a period ends you must have another 3-day qualifying hospital stay before you can get up to another 100 days of benefits. 

When does a benefit period end? Your benefit period ends when you haven’t been in a SNF or a hospital for 60 days in a row or if you are in a SNF and haven’t gotten skilled care there for at least 60 days in a row. 

Reputation

It is important to choose a skilled nursing facility with a good reputation. Talk to friends and family members who have had experience with different nursing homes and read online reviews. Ask your doctor if he or she provides care at any local nursing homes or you can also learn more about the quality of care at SNFs in your area at www.medicare.gov/care-compare. This site includes a list of facilities that are Medicare- and Medicaid-certified to help guide you with your decision. You can also call your Area Agency on Aging which will give you information about SNFs in your area. To get the local phone number of your Area Agency on Aging visit Eldercare.gov or call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116.

Accreditation

Make sure to choose a skilled nursing facility that is accredited by a reputable organization. This ensures that the facility meets certain standards of quality, safety, and health inspections. Be sure that all licenses and certificates are current and displayed.

Choosing the right skilled nursing facility for you or your loved ones can be a difficult decision. But, by keeping these things in mind, you can be sure to find a facility that meets your needs.