How To Find The Best Skilled Nursing Facility In Utah
Considering that the 2020 U.S. Census found the population of older adults (those 65 and older) to be 55.8 million (roughly one in six Americans), the demand for skilled nursing care is expected to increase over the coming years. In 2024, there were 1,226,089 residents living in a nursing facility in the United States.
Therefore, it’s never too early to be looking into your ideal skilled nursing facility. While it can be a difficult decision to make, choosing the right skilled nursing facility for yourself or a loved one can make all the difference in a patient’s quality of life. Keep reading to learn more about how to find the best skilled nursing facility.
What Is A Skilled Nursing Facility?
According to Medicare.gov, a skilled nursing facility is a facility that provides short-term care services for patients who have recently been released from the hospital but still require medical and/or rehabilitation services. Skilled nursing care is intended for patients who are well enough to leave the hospital after an illness, injury, or major surgery, but remain unable to live independently.
For example, someone who has experienced a serious injury or had major surgery may be unable to move around and/or dress their wounds properly by themselves. A patient like this would require wound care, assistance with daily activities, and physical therapy before returning home. Medicare.gov notes that skilled nursing care is specialized care that must be done by or under the supervision of certified, professional, and/or technical employees.
What Services Do Skilled Nursing Facilities Offer?
Per Medicaid.gov, federal guidelines require that skilled nursing facilities provide the following services:
- Certified nursing care
- Options for specialized care needs, such as rehabilitation services and accommodations for mental illness or intellectual disability
- Medication management services
- Social services (medically related)
- Specialized dietary services (when required)
- Professionally directed activities coordinator
- Maintenance services for living quarters
- Emergency dental services
- Customary personal hygiene assistance
Services Offered At Monument Health Group’s Skilled Nursing Facilities
At Monument Health Group in Utah, you will find all the skilled nursing facility services that will keep you or your loved one comfortable and well cared for as they recover, such as:
- Short-term or long-term rehabilitation services
- Rehabilitation services, including occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech therapy
- Post-traumatic injury care
- Post-hospital care
- Skilled nursing services
- Medication management services (including IV therapy)
- Beautician services
- Personal care assistance (grooming and dressing)
- Planned onsite activities
- Long-term care options
How To Find The Best Skilled Nursing Facility
Finding a skilled nursing facility that patients and family members are all comfortable with can be vexing. However, it doesn’t have to be a nightmare. When looking into skilled nursing facilities, start by:
Considering Individual Needs
Before even starting your search, begin by making a list of everything the patient entering the facility will require. Make a list of “must-haves” and a list of “would prefer” to begin narrowing down your search.
For example, maybe the patient requires specific therapy services, such as intravenous medication or onsite physical therapy (this would go on the “must-have” list). Or maybe the patient would prefer an outdoor area for relaxing but could do without as long as the facility was close to family.
Considering The Location
While being comfortable at the facility is vital, it’s important to weigh this aspect against how convenient the location is when it comes to the proximity to the patient’s preferred doctor(s), their preferred hospital, and how easily friends and family members would be able to make the commute to visit.
Taking A Tour
Once you’ve narrowed down your search, it’s important to do some in-person, in-depth research on each facility by taking a tour of each. Get a feel for the place, see if the staff seems friendly and accommodating, taste the food, see the layout of the rooms, get an idea of what you or your loved one will be spending their days doing, etc.
If you’re helping a family member in their search for a facility, make sure to take them with you during the tour(s) to ensure they feel comfortable there.
Bonus tip: It’s also a good idea to print out the Medicare Checklist as a guide to know what you’re looking for on your tour(s).
The Top Things To Look For During A Facility Tour Or Consultation
- Cleanliness and adherence to safety protocols
- The staff-to-resident ratio
- Staff qualifications
- How well the staff interacts with residents and the overall atmosphere
- Accessibility (specifically, how easily the patient would be able to get around the facility)
- The services they offer, such as planned activities, dining options, cleaning and laundry services, therapy services, etc.
Be Sure To Stop At The Financial Office
When considering skilled nursing care, it’s always important to visit the staff in charge of financing and billing to discuss what the cost would be for your specific situation. This way, you’ll know what insurance will cover and what other financing options may be available to you.
For example, according to Medicare.gov, to qualify for skilled nursing services under Medicare, you must:
- Have Medicare Part A, with an adequate amount of time in the “benefit period.”
- A “qualifying hospital stay” (generally, three consecutive days in the hospital for a “qualifying condition”). See individual plan for details.
- Enter the skilled nursing facility (SNF) within 30 days of leaving the hospital.
- Your doctor has decided you will require a stay at a SNF.
- The facility you choose is a Medicare-certified SNF.
For comprehensive skilled nursing and rehabilitation services in Utah, call Monument Health Group today.
Choosing the right skilled nursing facility for you or your loved one to recover at can be stressful. Luckily, there are steps that you can take to be more prepared for such a big decision. Whether you’re looking for short-term rehabilitation care with skilled nursing services, or a long-term care situation at a skilled nursing facility, Monument Health Group has many options that can help.