The traditional nursing facility of the past was a facility which provided long term custodial services to the elderly. Services provided included basic medical and residential services for the elderly. Nursing facilities are becoming an increasingly important part of the continuum of care following hospitalization by providing special medical services to patients with complex medical needs. Age no longer defines the long term care resident.
Facilities also serve children and adults of all ages impaired by injury or chronic conditions.
The emphasis is on living. Nursing facilities provide skilled nursing, rehabilitative, and health-related services. Emphasis is on attaining the highest practicable level of functioning for the individual, with services provided based on an interdisciplinary assessment of the resident's needs. NFs are eligible to participate in the Medicaid program, and may provide subacute care. SNFs provide the same services with increased emphasis on rehabilitative therapies for convalescent patients.