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There is a wide range of services and therapies
available in today's nursing care centers. In order to appropriately
provide for your loved ones' medical needs, you must first
determine the type of facility that best provides the kind
of care required.
Skilled Nursing Facility - A skilled nursing
facility provides skilled nursing care, continuous skilled
nursing observations, restorative nursing, and other services
under professional direction with frequent medical supervision.
Such facilities are provided for patients who need the type
of care and treatment required during the post acute phase
of illness or during recurrences of symptoms in long-term
illness.
Intermediate Care Facility - A facility which
provides basic nursing care and other restorative services
under periodic medical direction - such facilities are for
residents who have long-term illnesses or disabilities, which
may have reached a relatively stable plateau.
Assisted Living establishment - A home, building,
residence or any other place where sleeping accommodations
are provided for at least three unrelated adults, at least
80% of whom are 55 years of age or older who need assistance
with activities of daily living, including personal, supportive,
and intermittent health- related services available 24 hours
per day, if needed, to meet the scheduled and unscheduled
needs of a resident.
Independent living establishment - Usually apartments
or condominiums which offer services such as meals, transportation,
and recreation for seniors, who are able to take care of themselves.
Independent living residents must relocate if they develop
the need for help with activities of daily living or medication
administration
Consult this chart for more information about the facility
you are considering:
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State
and Federal Regulations
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Skilled
Nursing Facility
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Intermediate
Care Facility
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Assisted
Living Facility
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Independent
Living
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Licensed by the state:
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YES
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YES
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In the future
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NO
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Provide Medicare Certified Beds:
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YES
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NO
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NO
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NO
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Must have a licensed nursing home administrator:
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YES
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YES
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NO
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NO
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Must have Director of Nursing:
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YES
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YES
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NO
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NO
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Director of Nursing must be:
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RN
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RN
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N/A
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N/A
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Assistant Director of Nursing Needed:
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With 100 beds
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With 150 beds
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NO
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NO
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Assistant Director of Nursing must
be:
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RN
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LPN or RN
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N/A
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N/A
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Must have a charge nurse in the building
around the clock:
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YES
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YES
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NO
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NO
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Must have an RN in the building at
least 8 hours a day:
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YES
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NO
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NO
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NO
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Must have a licensed nurse on each
floor:
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YES
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NO
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NO
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NO
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Must have staff that know CPR on duty
around the clock.
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YES
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YES
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YES
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NO
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Will take incontinent residents:
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YES
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YES
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Depends on amount of assistance needed
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If self care
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Regulated by State and Federal Guidelines:
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YES
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YES
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NO
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NO
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Accept residents who require total
assistance with 2 or more activities of daily living:*
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YES
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YES
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NO
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NO
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Background checks required on direct
care employees:
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YES
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YES
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YES
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NO
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Nursing staff available to administer
medication:
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YES
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YES
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Only if licensed nurse on staff
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NO
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Can supervise self administration of
medication:
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YES
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YES
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Only if licensed nurse on staff
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NO
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