Know your care options, starting with understanding the difference between Residential Board and Care Homes vs. Skilled Nursing Care. The difference is significant because many patients end up unnecessarily in Skilled Nursing Care.

Skilled Nursing Facilities

also referred as:

Convalescent Care
Nursing Home
Nursing Center
Long Term Care Facility

Payment:    Medicare/Medical/Private Pay
Cost: $3000-$6000 per month           
          Facilities accept a variety of Medicare, Medical, private insurance carriers, and private pay. The Nursing Home will ask you for financial information in order to determine the appropriate payment source.

        Communities designed for: round the clock skilled nursing care for the frail elderly who require a high level of medical care and assistance. Twenty-four hour skilled nursing services are available from licensed nurses. Many nursing homes now provide short-term rehabilitative stays for those recovering from an injury or illness. Hospitals may decide to transfer a patient from the recovery room to a skilled nursing facility. Longer-term residents generally have high care needs and complex medical conditions that require routine skilled nursing services. Residents typically share a room and are served meals in a central dining area unless they are too ill to participate. Activities are also available. Some facilities have a separate unit for Alzheimer’s residents.

         Skill Nursing is ideal for patients who need full assistance with personal care services, those who are unable to ambulate without the assistance of a wheelchair, walker or escort, also, if they are bedridden or unable to reposition in bed, patients who suffer from an advanced stage of Alzheimer’s/Dementia, combative or severely confused, those who need intensive rehabilitative therapy (Physical, Occupational, Speech, and/or Respiratory Therapy). Requires tube feeding or is on an IV. Has to be on a vent or needs tracheotomy care. Needs aggressive wound care management. Is terminally ill and requires Hospice (end of life) care or needs custodial care and is on Medi-Cal for payment (must financially qualify) Long-term Medi-Cal (California's Medicaid program) is for people 65+ or disabled with limited income and financial resources. Residents who are on Medi-cal must financially qualify. Medicare coverage pertains up to the first 100 days for a qualifying stay after an acute care hospitalization. Medicare HMO contracts vary by facility for acceptance. Nursing Homes are licensed and regulated by the State Department of Public Health and are individually certified by the State for Medicare and Medical. They offer a staff of licensed and or /registered nurses, nursing aides, and administrators as required by licensing standards. The health care is supervised and authorized by a physician. They must also meet federal requirements.