Nursing homes are residential care facilities that support individuals who require ongoing supervision or specialized healthcare services. At Rebekah Health Links, we offer both short- and long-term care. This gives your loved one flexible support, whether they need short-term rehabilitation after illness or ongoing care for chronic conditions. Here are some tips for navigating the transition to a nursing care facility:
Involve Your Loved One
When transitioning a loved one to nursing home care, involve them in the decision-making process whenever possible. Ask them about their preferences, and discuss their daily routines. This helps make sure the facility and care plan align with their needs. Some things you can do to keep your loved one involved include:
- Tour the facility together and review the available services and amenities.
- Meet with staff to understand facility routines and discuss how they can support your loved one.
- Review room options and plan ways to keep your loved one comfortable.
- Ask about daily schedules such as meal times and therapy sessions.
Prioritize an Interdisciplinary Team
Make sure the nursing home facility has an interdisciplinary team; this provides comprehensive care for your loved one’s needs. At Rebekah Health Links, our team includes an attending physician, along with the following:
- Registered nurses
- Therapists
- Nutritionists
- Social workers
These professionals work together to create a personalized rehabilitation plan. They can make your loved one’s stay more productive, and they help coordinate their transition to and from the nursing care facility. Our facility staffs various types of therapists. Physical therapists focus on improving strength and mobility using individualized exercises. Speech therapists can assist your loved one with communication and swallowing, and occupational therapists work with them on their activities of daily living. These professionals coordinate to provide continuous monitoring and 24/7 nursing care.
Confirm the Required Care Services
Before transitioning to a nursing home, make sure the facility has all of the care services your loved one will need. If they’re recovering from an injury and have a tracheostomy tube, verify that the facility provides specialized respiratory care. This may include daily management and suctioning to keep the airway clear, along with 24-hour monitoring and oxygen therapy support. At Rebekah Health Links, we have an on-site tracheostomy care unit and clinical team, enabling us to provide specialized, state-of-the-art care. Nursing homes also offer other specialized treatments and services, including dialysis, rehabilitation services, and wound care.
Dialysis
If your loved one has kidney disease or requires regular dialysis, make sure the facility can accommodate treatment. Rebekah Health Links offers on-site dialysis. This enhances convenience, and it provides your family member with a supportive, medically supervised environment for receiving their treatments. On-site dialysis eliminates the need to transport your loved one to a dialysis center, improving accessibility and continuity of care.
Rehabilitation Services
Some skilled nursing facilities provide rehabilitation programs to help your loved one recover from surgery, injury, or illness. This can be beneficial for healing after procedures such as joint replacements or spinal surgeries, and it’s helpful for recovery from strokes and cardiac events. Nursing facilities offer comprehensive rehabilitation care to support your loved one as they restore their skills and independence.
Wound Care
If your family member is healing from surgical incisions, pressure injuries, or diabetic wounds, confirm that the nursing home provides specialized wound care services. Effective wound care often requires advanced dressing techniques and infection prevention. Some situations may also involve using a wound vac to promote healing. This device helps remove excess fluid, and it increases blood flow to the affected area, promoting healing. Make sure the skilled nursing team is equipped to use these tools. This can help reduce complications while keeping your loved one comfortable.
Find Personalized Nursing Home Care
Nursing homes offer a variety of services, from 24/7 medical care to rehabilitation assistance. At Rebekah Health Links, our team provides skilled nursing care and personalized recovery plans. This gives your loved one the support needed to stay safe, recover comfortably, and protect their quality of life. Contact us today to learn more about our services, or visit our website to schedule a tour.