5 Benefits To Living In a Skilled Nursing Facility

There are many great benefits to living in a skilled nursing facility whether you are a temporary visitor in rehab or a long term resident. These benefits can help provide a very supportive living environment that can be truly enriching for your loved ones.

One of the greatest benefits of a skilled nursing facility is that there is more availability of healthcare services. Nursing services are available 24/7 and the medical staff is constantly looking after your medical needs, watching for any changes and early warning signs. Seniors who live at home or in unassisted living facilities typically see their physicians every 1 to 3 months but at a skilled nursing facility they will be able to see a doctor, nurse practitioner or physician assistant much more frequently. Another benefit is having help with daily living activities such as bathing, dressing, eating, or walking. Even if you don’t require those needs, there are people who will do your do your housekeeping, laundry, dishes, and cook so that you don’t have to keep up with daily chores and can spend more time relaxing.

Being able to engage in movement and physical activity is a vital sign that you are maintaining good health and another benefit to skilled nursing facilities. Seniors that live alone often become sedentary due to risk of falling or the lack of opportunity to engage in exercise. At a nursing home there is a range of opportunities for residents to move and exercise such as stretching, assistance with walking, exercise classes such as aerobics, tai chi, yoga, and dance, and physical therapy/rehab programs. Another benefit is that seniors have a place where they can have more social interaction and spiritual support. People that live alone usually feel isolated and lonely which can lead them to become depressed and despondent. Residents at a skilled nursing facility have many opportunities to make friends and engage in social activities such as music programs, crafts, bingo, foreign language classes, and community outings. In addition to social interaction, regular worship services, chaplains/priest/rabbis, and other spiritual support are offered to support the resident’s spiritual lives. The last major benefit is the addition of a balanced diet and proper nutrition. Nutrition is essential for maintaining health and unfortunately it can be challenging for some people who live alone to make trips to the grocery store and prepare a healthy meal. At a skilled nursing facility all meals are provided for you including special needs and staff dieticians who can review your situation and make recommendations about appropriate changes to your diet to support your health.