Skilled nursing facilities, or nursing homes, are designed to house and assist individuals who have health conditions that require constant monitoring and the availability of medical personnel. Because of the high level of monitoring that skilled nursing facilities provide, they are typically considered to be very restrictive.
Important points to remember about skilled nursing facilities:
- Provides an invaluable service to those that have medical problems that require constant medical monitoring and/or high levels of assistance
- Very restrictive
- Very expensive to pay for privately. Medicaid is available to those who qualify
This is just the tip of the iceberg. There are other types of living facilities such as family group homes that are designed as a step in between living in your own home and living in an ALF. There are also different types of assisted living facilities that focus on the needs of specific populations. An example would be an ALF that is designed to meet the needs of individuals with Alzheimer's disease.
Eric Flusche is Director of Supportive Aging Services at Senior Friendship Centers in Lee County, Florida, which administers the Community Care for the Elderly (CCE), Home Care for the Elderly, Older American's Act, Medicaid Waiver for In-Home Clients and the Assisted Living Waiver.