What is a Nursing Home?

A nursing home or skilled nursing facility is designed not only for seniors but for anyone who requires 24 hour care and not necessarily hospitalization. Some nursing homes are a hospital like setting though many now are recognizing the importance of creating a more home like environment both in facility design and staff and so more home like nursing facilities are becoming the norm.

A nursing home may not be the right place for a senior who just needs a little help with daily living activities, in this case an assisted living facility may be more appropriate. However a nursing home stay may be necessary following an injury or illness, or in cases of severe dementia. Nursing homes are often staffed to provide physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy.

Nursing homes are regulated and overseen at both the federal and the state level due to licensure to accept Medicare and Medicaid.