These serve patients who no longer need the close supervision provided in a hospital nursing unit, but still need skilled nursing care two or three times a day. Units licensed as a skilled nursing facility by Medicare can take only Medicare patients.
Transitional care offers similar services, but can serve all ages.
These provide ongoing care for patients with a stable medical condition that need low-intensity monitoring. Services are aimed at maintaining current health and preventing deterioration. These provide active, intense rehabilitation, usually four hours a day, including physical, occupational and speech therapy. Typical patients might include those recovering from stroke, joint replacement or other orthopedic surgery, among other needs. A wide variety of nursing and therapy services can be provided at home.