Nursing and Rehabilitation

Specialized Care for Individuals Who Need Daily Assistance

At a nursing care center, care is administered by professionals under the direction of a physician. Many facilities also offer sub-acute, respite, rehabilitation and other short-term care. Rehabilitation services can be especially helpful for individuals who are recovering from surgery, an illness or any other life-changing event.

Who is Nursing Care for?

These communities serve as permanent residences for individuals who are too sick or frail to live at home, or as temporary facilities during a recovery period. Some residents enter a nursing care center for a short-term stay after a surgery or illness, while others enter on a more permanent basis.

Who Pays for Nursing Care?

Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance and personal assets are all used under various circumstances to pay for services in a nursing care facility. If a facility is not certified by Medicare and Medicaid, the care will have to be paid for entirely with personal funds.

In general, Medicare pays for skilled nursing care following hospitalization for the same illness or condition at 100 percent of the cost for days 1-20. Some long-term care insurance pays for nursing care centers; insurance payments are usually a fixed amount for a specified number of qualified days.

The basic daily rate is the standard charge the nursing care center bills to all residents, which covers the fundamental services every resident receives, including rent for the room, housekeeping, meals and general nursing care. It is important to understand all the services and amenities that are not included in the basic daily rate.

What to Look for in Nursing Care

Before choosing a community, contact the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program in your Area Agency on Aging. Ombudsman programs promote the highest quality of life and care for residents of nursing facilities and can help families and staff with inquiries and complaints. Or, you can contact nursing care facilities directly and ask to speak to their Admissions Director, who will give you guidance and support. 

 This article is a compilation of articles edited by Darla Kahle, DCCCI Article portions compiled and with permission from Retirement Living Sourcebook Summer/Fall 2020