MaineHealth skilled nursing facilities offer medical, rehabilitation and other services that help patients transition home after a hospital stay.
What is a skilled nursing facility?
A skilled nursing facility is similar to a nursing home but offers more medical expertise and services. Patients receive skilled nursing and rehabilitation services to fully recover and regain independence. Conditions that may require a stay in a skilled nursing facility include:
- Recovery from joint replacement surgery
- Recovery process from a hospital stay due to illness or injury
- Stroke
Who provides care at skilled nursing facility?
Patients may receive care from:
- Registered nurses to give medications, monitor recovery and care for any wounds
- Physical therapists to help strengthen muscles and regain balance and function
- Occupational therapists to teach skills for doing everyday tasks
- Speech and language therapists to treat swallowing and communication problems
- Physicians who oversee the overall treatment plan
Conditions treated at skilled nursing facilities
Some types of care provided by skilled nursing facilities include:
- Stroke recovery - helping patients regain motor skills and speech functions
- Custodial care - helping patients with needs like bathing, dressing and eating
- General rehabilitation - speech, physical and occupational therapy to help patients recover after an extended illness or invasive operation
- General wound care - cleaning wounds and administering antibiotics for infection
- Acute conditions - services offered for health-threatening illness, infection or injury
- Terminal illness care - services offered with hospice care for people living with terminal illness
Skilled nursing facility services
Services vary by location and insurance coverage, but many skilled nursing facilities offer:
- Semi-private rooms
- Meals
- Skilled nursing care
- Physical and occupational therapy
- Speech-language pathology services
- Medical social services
- Medication management
- Medical supplies and equipment
- Ambulance transportation
- Dietary counseling