Medical
Care
Residents
in nursing facilities are under the care of physicians, who visit regularly
and are responsible for the residents' overall plan of care. Physicians certify
the need for nursing care and may serve as a resource for information about
long-term care facilities in the community. When individuals enter the facility,
physicians write orders for necessary medication and play a role in the development
of the residents' care plan, including restorative and rehabilitative procedures,
special diets, and treatments. Every nursing facility has a physician on staff
or on call to handle emergencies.
Types
of Services
Four basic types of services are offered by nursing facilities:
Understanding
the
types of services
Understanding
the categories of facilities
Finding
and selecting a nursing facility
Paying for nursing
care
Nursing
and Rehabilitative Care
All
nursing facilities require the professional skills of a registered or licensed
practical nurse. Nursing services include assessment, treatments, injections,
coordination of care, and medication administration. Rehabilitative services
such as post-hospital stroke, heart, or orthopedic care are available in addition
to related services such as respiratory therapy, physical therapy, occupational
therapy, or speech therapy. Dental services, dietary consultation, laboratory,
x-ray, and pharmaceutical services are also available.
Personal
Care
Personal
care is provided to residents who need help with various activities. Such
assistance most often relates to performance of activities of daily living
(ADLs) which includes assistance with daily activities such as eating, bathing,
dressing, toileting, transferring, personal hygiene. Certified nurse assistants
provide many of these services.
Residential Services
These
include general supervision and a protective environment, such as room and
board and a planned program for the social and spiritual needs of the resident.