Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF)

Who are SNFs for?

• people who are medically stable, but need medical care for a set time or the forseeable future
• people who need medical care that cannot be safely provided at home

What is a SNF?

• sometimes referred to as a "nursing home"
• care facilities where people go on a short or long-term basis for 24/7 care
• do NOT provide acute care like a hospital, but does provide medical management
• staffed with physicians, nurses, and nursing assistants
• patient stays are usually up to 60 days
• care may include:

             - physical and/or occupational therapy

             - nursing services

             - diet/feeding management

             - medication management

             - speech language pathology

             - social work

             - memory care

• typically provides less intense rehab and longer stays than inpatient rehabs

When should SNFs be considered for care?

• when someone needs medical care that cannot be provided at home. Care may not be able to be provided at home due to a variety of reasons:

                  - safety issues

                  - lack of support

                  - household members who are incapable of providing care due to work or illness

• SNFs are often needed for extended recovery from surgery, memory care, or rehab after a fall or accident

*Even if you think you will never need a SNF, it is often a good idea to identify ones in your area that you can use in case of unexpected circumstances. Doing some research and taking some facility tours can give you a fallback option. If you end up in an urgent situation and need to use a SNF, you aren't challenged to find one you trust at the last minute.