As you or your loved ones age, it’s crucial to find the best care for preserving a high standard of quality life. Nursing homes, skilled nursing in home care, and physical therapy are three common elderly care services that can be very beneficial for creating a healthy, safe and quality lifestyle for the elderly. However, all three of these services are very different, and some are better suited for each elderly individual.
Nursing homes and skilled care nursing facilities are very common for elderly individuals that can no longer live on their own. Most nursing homes and facilities have doctors, nursing aides and skilled nurses on hand 24 hours a day in order to help assist residents with every day tasks such as bathing and getting dressed. Additionally, nursing homes can differ from other senior living facilities in that they also provide a high level of medical care. Knowing how to choose a nursing home can differ depending on the specific accommodations desired. However, choosing a nursing home should always have cleanliness, friendless of staff, and patient care as a high priority.
Skilled nursing in home care can be used for elderly individuals or individuals recovering from surgery, illnesses and injury. While in home skilled nursing care can be used for individuals of all ages, it is most commonly used among elderly individuals who take longer to recover from surgery and injuries such as hip or knee replacement surgery, or those recovering from traumatic situations like fractures or cardiac events. The overall goal of skilled nursing care at home is to improve the individual’s daily functional abilities, allowing for a smooth transition from the hospital to home.
With physical therapy, frequent care is provided by physical therapists, who are licensed health care professionals with a master’s or doctorate degree in physical therapy. Physical therapists is often used for elderly individuals, but can be used for individuals of all ages too, and the goal is to help patients move better post-surgery or injury for the areas of the body effected and help to relieve pain as well. It also helps improve or restore their physical function and your fitness level. A physical therapist may use treatment methods such as manual therapy, education, and techniques such as heat, cold, water, ultrasound, and electrical stimulation to help improve mobility and pain relief for their patients. Unlike nursing homes or skilled nursing in home care, physical therapy typically takes place at a physical therapy facility and is not meant for daily monitoring of daily functions. Helpful research also found here.