As you begin your search for the perfect retirement community in Concord, NH to fit your needs, you’ll quickly find there are many different types of care available to choose from. Some communities offer very few services to their residents in order to keep them as independent as possible, while others offer a continuum of care that helps adapt to your needs as you age. In general, continuing care retirement communities typically provide their residents with access to assisted living care, skilled nursing care services, rehabilitation and some form of memory care.
At Havenwood Heritage Heights, skilled nursing care is available to all residents, whenever they should need it. This team-centered care option is often used by residents on a short-term basis when they are recovering from a medical condition or in need of short-term rehabilitation. Skilled nursing care is also offered on a long-term basis, where our residents have access to the highest level of care in our 70- bed facility.
1. What is Skilled Nursing Care?
Skilled nursing care is a high level of medical treatment that is provided by trained and licensed nurses, such as registered nurses, physical therapists and occupational therapists. Residents may take advantage of these services on a short-term basis as they recover from illness or injury, or they may need to utilize them on a more long-term basis if they are living with a chronic medical condition. Some common examples of skilled nursing services include wound care, physical therapy, intravenous therapy and the monitoring of vital signs.
2. Is Skilled Nursing Care Available in Home?
Today, many seniors are choosing to age in place and remain at home for as long as possible. In these situations, skilled nursing services may be available on a short-term basis in the home. When prescribed by a doctor, seniors may be able to take advantage of skilled nursing services covered by Medicare, as well as certain private health insurance policies, long-term care insurance and veterans benefits. However, these services are typically offered on a short-term basis only, whereas our residents have full access to skilled nursing care at our continuing care retirement community.
3. What is the Difference Between a Nursing Home and Skilled Nursing Care?
While you may hear these two care terms used interchangeably, there are several differences between a nursing home and skilled nursing care facilities. While both offer seniors access to skilled nursing care, they are regulated differently at the federal and state level. Nursing homes are typically monitored internally, with any violations or threats to patient safety corrected by a board of administrators. On the other hand, skilled nursing facilities are generally regulated by the US Department of Health, with a much more comprehensive approach to monitoring the level of care patients receive.
4. You Can Enjoy Your Privacy as You Recover
One of the biggest misconceptions about skilled nursing care is that residents will have no privacy as they recover from an illness or injury. However, this isn’t true. At Havenwood Heritage Heights, we do our best to strike a healthy balance between privacy and providing a very safe and secure environment in which you can focus on healing properly. All of the resident rooms in our skilled nursing facility are considered private areas, while common areas being accessible to all. Our friendly and highly-trained staff members always respect patient privacy and show common courtesy by knocking before entering private rooms.
5. Should I Really Worry About the Need for
Long-Term Care?
Most seniors can’t imagine themselves needing access to long-term skilled nursing care. In reality, about 70% of people over the age of 65 will need to use some form of long-term care in their lifetime. With numbers like that, it’s easy to see why so many seniors choose to spend their retirement years in a continuing care retirement community that offers a continuum of care to adapt and change with their needs as they grow older.
6. What Types of Amenities are Offered in
Skilled Nursing Care?
Many seniors and their families have been led to believe that skilled nursing care facilities provide medical care and little else. But this is simply not true. In fact, our skilled nursing care facility at Havenwood Heritage Heights operates with a clear understanding that our residents have the greatest chance of making a full recovery when the treatments they receive work to heal the body, mind and soul. In addition to providing private rooms and baths, residents can also enjoy a number of different social events, dining options, activities and access to our other great amenities.
7. Can I Still Enjoy My Independence in
Skilled Nursing Care?
While our skilled nursing care services are more hands-on than other living areas at Havenwood Heritage Heights, we are dedicated to helping each of our residents live as independently as possible. You have a legal right to make choices regarding your daily routine, health care/treatment and which activities you are interested in participating in. Our responsibility is to ensure that all residents have access to the care they need while living together safely and harmoniously.
Learn More About Our Continuum of Care at Havenwood Heritage Heights
Are you looking for a welcoming, safe and beautiful retirement community to call home? At Havenwood Heritage Heights, we are proud to provide our residents with a number of different living options including independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing care and memory care facilities. At our 48-acre continuing care retirement community, residents can feel safe and free to enjoy their golden years living on a comfortable and inviting campus located just minutes from the heart of Concord.
For more information about our many different senior living options and the care services we provide, contact us online today!