What Does Skilled Nursing at Home Offer for Seniors?
Over time, seniors may find that they need more specialized healthcare options, especially when they are recovering at home from illness, injuries, or surgery. Skilled nursing care is an option that they might not have realized is available. Nurses come to visit them at home, keeping them on the road to recovery. Here are some of the ways they can do that.
Individual Care Plans
Every situation is different, and that means that nursing care needs to be flexible and adaptable. Nursing professionals work with the senior’s healthcare providers to understand what types of care are necessary and to build personalized plans to provide that care. They take into account health conditions, medical history, and any other variables that factor into the situation at hand.
Medical Monitoring and Management
Nurses are there to offer continuous medical monitoring and management of care, if necessary. That might mean that they’re there to help manage chronic health conditions as needed or that they’re available around the clock to monitor vital signs and administer medications. The specifics of what they do depend on the patient’s needs.
Post-Hospitalization Care
When seniors are coming home from a hospital stay, they often need additional support as they transition back home. Skilled nursing care offers post-hospital care, including wound care, medication management, rehabilitation exercises, and more, based on what the patient requires. This can all help to ensure that seniors recover more quickly since mobility and strength suffer during hospitalization.
Rehabilitation Assistance
When seniors are recovering, they may need rehabilitation services. Skilled nurses can coordinate care with physical and occupational therapists as well as other rehabilitation specialists. As seniors grow stronger and adhere to their rehabilitation plans, they may not need as much help going forward.
Chronic Disease Management
Seniors battling chronic health issues like heart disease or diabetes may need even more specialized care. They may need help managing their diets, including adapting to changes they need to make to get better nutrition. Seniors may also find that they benefit from having help with monitoring specific variables, like glucose levels and blood pressure. Nurses can ensure these logs are accurate.
Wound Care and Dressing Changes
Caring for wounds, surgical incisions, and other skin conditions requires assistance to ensure proper healing. Nurses can be on the alert for signs that mean an infection is present or that seniors are developing some other complication. This type of care helps seniors avoid potential problems that could set their recovery back weeks or months.
Respiratory Care
Patients with respiratory conditions like COPD or pneumonia may need additional help with respiratory care. Nurses can help administer breathing treatments, monitor oxygen levels, and help patients learn breathing techniques that help them to be more comfortable.
Skilled nursing that comes to patients at their homes offers personalized care that keeps seniors at home where they most want to be. The flexibility and convenience of receiving care at home can help to keep their spirits high, too, which also aids in recovery.