In 2016, close to 1.4 million people lived in a nursing home.
Among these people are mothers, fathers, friends, and grandparents. They’re also the neighbors we look up to and the community members we cherish.
Transitioning from one phase of life to the next is challenging. No matter our age, we will always have needs. For the elderly who can no longer care for themselves these needs increase and change in an instant.
We want to give our elderly loved ones the best. We want our loved ones to be comfortable. We want them to be happy.
We understand that we aren’t always equipped to provide the care they need. We may not have the time or the skills our loved ones need. We know they deserve the best, so we make it our mission to find the best care possible.
At some point, we will need to decide between caring for them at home and a skilled nursing facility.
So, what is the best form of care available to our elderly loved ones?
Read on to find out the top benefits of choosing a skilled nursing facility to provide care for your loved one.
12 Benefits of Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF)
Over 15,000 certified nursing homes exist in the United States. Placing your loved one in a nursing home is a difficult decision, but it may be the best decision your family ever makes. Explore the top 12 benefits of selecting nursing home care for your loved one over in-home care.
1. Socialization
Social isolation and loneliness is a public health concern. Social isolation is as damaging to one’s health as physical inactivity, obesity, and even smoking. Research shows that social isolation is linked to cardiovascular disease and an increase in mortality.
To live healthy and fulfilling lives, we need socialization. Meeting this need means feeling like we belong and are a part of a social community. This community can be friends, family, work, or church.
When the elderly are no longer able to drive or move about with ease, socializing becomes increasingly difficult. The elderly must then rely heavily on others to meet this need.
In the past, they were able to go where socialization was happening. As the elderly age, they will likely need folks to come to them to socialize.
But, the fact of the matter is most people lead busy lives. We cannot meet this need for our loved ones at all times.
Living in a skilled nursing facility helps the elderly to meet this need. Nursing homes plan activities for social engagement and the environment in itself encourages nursing home residents to interact.
2. Staff Availability
A skilled nursing facility will be staffed twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Staff will be able to meet your loved one’s needs at any time of the day or night.
Staff members are trained to respond, manage, and create care plans tailored to your loved one’s needs. They can provide wound care, pain management, and nutrition counseling as well.
Skilled nursing staff may help your loved one to shower, provide them with their medications, and assist them in dressing themselves. Knowing the staff will assist in a way that gives the residents more independence.
It also improves their health. This allows you and your loved one to worry less and have more time doing things you enjoy instead.
3. Food Service
SNFs will also provide your loved ones with three meals per day. The staff will also monitor your loved ones dietary habits to ensure they are properly nourished and eating. If they are not getting proper nourishment, then the dietary team will be able to intervene and provide the care your loved one needs.
Nursing homes offer residents a variety of food options cooked onsite. Some skilled nursing homes even offer wait staff to make your loved one feel like they are dining in a restaurant. Nursing homes have fully equipped kitchens and are required to practice safe cooking procedures.
If you opt for in-home care, there is no guarantee that fresh meals will be provided to your loved one daily unless you pay more for this option. Should daily care and meal planning be needed, in-home care could easily become a more costly option.
4. Safety
Skilled nursing centers are designed to be safe places for the elderly to reside. The SNFs take your loved one’s safety seriously and design buildings accordingly.
The facilities often have larger hallways and doorways to ensure wheelchair accessibility. They install grab bars in hallways and restrooms. And they make sure that all center decor doesn’t present any trip hazards.
In addition to physical safety concerns, SNFs also provide their residents with a sense of emotional safety. When their needs are met, they feel safe and secure. They don’t need to worry about completing tasks on their own since the staff is available 24/7.
5. House Keeping
Since our elderly loved are no longer as mobile as they used to be housekeeping becomes a bigger challenge. Completing housekeeping tasks such as vacuuming and washing clothing might also put your loved one at a greater risk for falling and injury.
Conducting regular cleaning may also be time-consuming and exhausting for older populations. Nursing home staff will help your loved one by cleaning their bedding and their rooms on a routine basis.
6. Health Care
Skilled nursing home residents have consistent access to healthcare. They are continuously monitored by on-site nurses and medical professionals. These professional are trained and skilled in providing care.
With in-home care, this type of care might not be within your budget. Nursing staff may come to visit with your loved one on regular basis but they are not onsite twenty-four hours a day to meet their needs.
If a medical emergency occurred at home, your loved one would need to call or wait for caregivers to help them. This puts your loved one’s health at risk and could make the outcome more serious.
7. Physical Therapy
Many nursing homes have a physical therapist onsite. They also have the necessary equipment needed to remain physically active.
When folks live at home and their mobility isn’t what it used to be physical activity is reduced. Your loved one may not feel confident enough to be physically active so their health will likely deteriorate as a result.
Having trained physical therapists to assist them and supervise helps to build their confidence and keep them as healthy as they can be. Residents will achieve increased muscle strength, better bladder control, and improvement in mood and mental health.
Elderly residents who work out also experience increased stamina, physical strength, and a reduced risk of falling and bone fractures.
Before any older adult begins a physical activity plan, they need to first speak with their doctor.
8. Flexibility
Many SNFs and nursing homes offer a wide range of care options. These options also come with different costs.
If your loved one needs less care, then your family can pay less while still getting the benefits of living in a nursing home. If they need more care, such as skilled nursing, then nursing homes can provide this as well.
The range of care options makes living in a nursing home a flexible option. As our loved ones age, they made need more care.
If they are already living in a nursing home that offers skilled nursing care, then they won’t need to change environments in order to receive this care. All they need to do is simply upgrade their care plans.
Your loved ones will be experiencing a huge change simply by aging. Having a variety of care options alleviates the need for changing environments completely which is stressful for the elderly.
9. Relief
It’s not just your loved ones who feel a sense of relief by living at a nursing home. You will also feel a tremendous amount of relief knowing your loved one’s needs are being met on a daily and hourly basis.
Many people feel guilty about putting their loved ones in a nursing home. There truly is no reason to feel guilty. While it’s difficult to make this decision, sometimes it’s the best option available.
As children of the elderly, we are busy. We may have children to take care of still, jobs we need to show up for, and our own needs to meet.
It’s important for all caregivers whether physically caregiving and/or emotionally caregiving to take care of their needs first. When we are able to care for ourselves, we are able to care for others. So whenever guilty feelings arise, remind yourself that your needs matter too and that you couldn’t possibly meet the needs of your loved one if you aren’t first caring for yourself.
Also, remind yourself that you may simply not have the skills to take care of your loved one. Many of us simply don’t have the training or medical training to adequately care for the elderly.
The elderly need time, attention, and care. Knowing that a nursing home has these basic needs covered can provide you with a sense of comfort and relief.
10. Transportation
The hard truth is that many nursing home residences are no longer able or allowed to operate a vehicle. This can be very depressing for the elderly who are used to moving about as they please.
You may also be unable to transport your loved one if they use a wheelchair or use large equipment to get around.
Nursing home makes this transition easier by providing residents with transportation options. These transportation options will also be wheelchair and scooter accessible.
Nursing home staff will help residents to get to and from medical appointments. Some nursing homes also regularly offer fun-filled field trips to residents.
Having onsite transportation helps to make your loved one feel like they still have a say in their daily activities. It allows them to feel independent and a sense of control.
11. Specialized Care Options
In addition to providing a variety of nursing care options, many nursing homes also offer specialized care. Specialized care units are especially useful for elderly residents with Alzheimer’s, dementia, or other memory conditions.
If your loved one’s cognitive functions lessen then transitioning to a memory care unit may be necessary. The good news is that many nursing homes have memory care units onsite. This makes it less shocking residents with memory problems since they will at least be familiar with their surroundings and the people who regularly provide them care.
12. Increased Confidence
The greatest gift nursing homes provide you and your loved one is increased confidence.
You can be confident that your loved one’s needs are being met. You gain confidence in living your own life, worrying less about your loved one’s health and well-being. You are more able to navigate your day with confidence knowing that nursing home staff has everything covered.
Your loved one will feel more confident when they know that they can still enjoy life. They will know for certain that they will shower every day, eat properly each day, and be helped as needed.
They are free to focus on enriching their lives. They will have more energy to do the things they love instead of spending their time completing everyday tasks.
You and your loved one deserve to have fulfilling lives. We can’t help the process of aging, but we can rest easy knowing that our loved ones are being cared for round the clock.
Finding the Best Nursing Homes
All nursing homes aren’t created equally. To find the best nursing rooms, make sure to do your research. Visit and tour the facility and speak with the nursing home staff.
Ask around to see what nursing homes others would recommend. You can also check out their reviews online to get a better feel for the quality of the nursing home.
The best nursing homes will make your loved ones feel at home. Some of the best nursing homes have restaurant dining amenities, lovely music playing in the hallways, and an abundance of activities. Their staff should be well-trained, friendly, and experienced.
If your loved one is in need of nursing home care, the first step is to find a location near you that offers free private tours. Many nursing homes will offer a variety of quality services and amenities focused on improving the life of your loved ones.
