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What Is the Main Purpose of a Nursing Home?
Date Updated: July 26, 2024
Written by:
Rachel Lustbader is a writer and editor with a background in healthcare and technology. Her work has been published on websites including HealthCare.com, BiteSizeBio.com, BetterHelp.com, Caring.com, and PayingforSeniorCare.com. She studied health science and public health at Boston University.
Both of Rachel’s grandmothers had very positive experiences in senior living communities, and Rachel saw firsthand the impact that kind, committed caregivers and community managers can have on seniors’ and their family members’ lives. With her work at Caring, Rachel hopes to help other families find communities, caregivers, and at-home products that benefit elderly loved ones and make life less stressful for family caregivers
The main purpose of a nursing home is to care for individuals who need 24/7 medical oversight. Nursing home residents don’t require hospitalization, but they do have medical needs that can’t be met at home. Many, but not all, nursing home residents are seniors.
Who Needs Nursing Home Care?
Nursing homes help a variety of residents. Some individuals with attention-demanding medical conditions move into nursing homes for long-term stays. Examples of such conditions include cancer and Parkinson’s disease. Others make shorter stays, often as they recover from a medical setback like a stroke.
Essentially, if a person’s medical situation makes them unable to live safely at home, they may be a good candidate for nursing home placement. That’s especially the case if their needs rise beyond the capabilities of assisted living facilities, which lack the medical offerings typical of nursing homes.
What Medical Services Do NursingHomes Provide?
In nursing homes, care from licensed nurses is usually accessible around the clock, while physicians may be on the staff or make regular visits. Podiatrists, dentists and other specialists likewise care for residents. The staff may also ensure residents adhere to medication schedules.
Speech, occupational and physical therapy is usually part of a nursing home’s rehabilitation program. Some nursing homes have accommodations for those who require dementia care or palliative or hospice arrangements. For residents who need to travel to medical appointments, the staff may handle transportation.
Do NursingHomes Provide Nonmedical Services?
Nursing homes offer many nonmedical services, too. For instance, caregivers help residents with basic activities like eating, getting dressed and maintaining personal hygiene. They may also aid individuals who require assistance when moving around. Maintenance tasks and meal preparation are among staff members’ responsibilities, as are housekeeping and laundry. Social services are another common care element.
Staff capabilities may vary from one nursing home to another, and individual facilities can offer more information on which services they provide.