Insights from The Orlando Senior Help Desk: Skilled nursing facilities vs. rehabilitation hospitals/centers

Skilled nursing is a high level of care requiring advanced training and certifications. Skilled nursing care must be provided under the direct supervision of licensed health professionals, such as nurses speech pathologists, and physical or occupational therapists.

Some examples of skilled nursing services include wound care, injections, catheter care, physical, occupational, and speech therapy, intravenous therapy, and the use of medical equipment to support the patient’s health care needs

Skilled nursing is offered at skilled nursing facilities. Formerly, some of these facilities were known as “nursing homes” because they offered a permanent residence, but the term “nursing home” is no longer in vogue.

When a person needs to go for rehabilitation after a surgery such as a hip replacement. he or she can be sent to a skilled nursing facility or a rehabilitation center. Usually, Medicare covers the costs of that facility for an average of thirty days. Medicare does not continue to fund the custodial costs when the recovery period is over.

Rehabilitation hospitals are devoted to the rehabilitation of patients with various neurological, musculoskeletal, orthopedic, and other medical conditions following stabilization of their acute medical issues. They are geared toward short-term care, not permanent residency.

While most seniors face major adjustments when transitioning to an elder-care community, Jewish seniors face additional challenges. Not only do they lose their homes, and many of their friends, but they also lose ties to their cultural heritage. This is where the Jewish Pavilion, a 501c3 non-profit, steps in. The Pavilion serves as a resource that provides room visits, festive holiday celebrations, and more to 450 Jewish residents in fifty facilities for seniors. The Jewish Pavilion promotes inclusion, and thousands of seniors of all faiths are welcomed into our programs. http://www.JewishPavilion.org

The Orlando Senior Help Desk at the Jewish Pavilion (407-678-9363) helps thousands of callers navigate their way through the daunting senior maze, alleviating caregiver stress while giving advice on all types of elder issues. http://www.OrlandoSeniorHelpDesk.org.