5 Reasons Skilled Nursing Facilities Are a Great Option for Seniors

Posted on: September 20th, 2017 by bigdcreative

Helping your loved one recover after a hospital stay due to illness, a fall, or other accident can be a challenge. It requires time, diligence, attentiveness, and above all, patience. Skilled nursing facilities like Holly Hall Retirement Community are a wonderful alternative for seniors as they rehabilitate and restore their health. 

What is Skilled Nursing?

Skilled nursing refers to a patient’s need of care that can only be performed by licensed nurses, not caretakers. Examples of care include complex wound dressings, rehabilitation, and tube feedings.

What is a Skilled Nursing Facility?

A skilled nursing facility is a residential community where residents receive care 24 hours a day as their health changes and/or improves.

Now that we’re familiar with the role of a skilled nursing facility, let’s explore the many benefits they provide to seniors and their families. Here are 5 reasons you should consider a skilled nursing facility for a senior in your life.

1. Medication Management

Depending on their health, many of our elderly loved ones have a list of medications they must take regularly to help them manage common conditions such as diabetes, high cholesterol, etc. After a stroke, fall, or serious illness, the list of daily medications will only multiply – making it very difficult to keep up with the dosage for each one. A skilled nursing facility will keep track of every resident’s medication schedule, ensuring that every dose is administered on time and in the appropriate amount.

2. In-House Physical Therapy and Activity

Engaging in movement is extremely important to senior health, especially for those who are recovering from an accident. Unfortunately, seniors who live alone often become sedentary due to risk of falling or lack of encouragement. Skilled Nursing facilities offer both physical therapy and various physical activities to keep seniors moving at whatever level they are able, allowing them to both restore movement in joints affected by an accident and/or maintain their function.

3. Balanced Diet & Nutrition

Proper nutrition is essential at every age – however, it is critical during recovery. Seniors recovering from a health issue who live on their own will be limited in their mobility, making it difficult (sometimes impossible) for them to prepare healthy meals at home. A retirement community with skilled nursing will prepare a variety of delicious meals to fit every dietary need, while keeping track of their caloric requirements.

Contact Holly Hall today to learn more about how we approach health and wellness at our community. 

4. Social and Spiritual Support

Sudden health changes can take a toll on seniors, especially if they are temporarily or permanently unable to enjoy many of the things they used to. Living in isolation can cause them to fall into depression, which can actually stall them on their road to recovery. While living at a skilled nursing facility, your loved one will be surrounded by nurses, staff, and other residents from whom they can receive social and spiritual support. Staying in high spirits is essential to both physical and emotional wellbeing.

5. Peace of Mind

While you may want to be with your loved one every minute of every day as they recover after an illness or accident, that may not be an option depending on your living situation, job, or other responsibilities. Knowing they are somewhere safe, comfortable, and being monitored will give you peace of mind as you navigate through different parts of your day. Of course, visits are always allowed and encouraged.

Visit Holly Hall Retirement Community for Skilled Nursing in Houston

The skilled nursing unit at Holly Hall Retirement Community offers a full range of therapy services including physical, occupational and speech therapies – all available on site. Whether their personal goal is to be able to walk back into church on Sunday or hold their newborn great-grandchild again, our skilled nurses in Houston will do everything in their power to help them get there. Contact Holly Hall today to schedule a tour of our facility.