A nursing home is an entity that provides skilled nursing care and rehabilitation services to people with illnesses, injuries or functional disabilities. Most facilities serve the elderly. However, some facilities provide services to younger individuals with special needs such as the developmentally disabled, mentally ill, and those requiring drug and alcohol rehabilitation. Nursing homes are generally stand alone facilities, but some are operated within a hospital or retirement community. The level of care provided by nursing homes has increased significantly over the past decade.
Many homes now provide much of the nursing care that was previously provided in a hospital setting.
As a result, most nursing homes now focus their attention on rehabilitation, so that their clients can return to their own homes as soon as possible. Maybe a nursing home is not the best solution at this time. Fortunately, the range of senior care options continues to expand to better meet the care and financial needs of individuals. Some of the alternatives that may be available in your area include independent living, congregate care, assisted living and home health care. Nursing Home INFO is currently expanding its databases to provide similar search tools for the entire continuum of senior care.