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If your older loved one needs more care than can be provided at home or in an assisted living community, it might be time to start thinking about transitioning to skilled nursing care. Making this decision isn’t easy, but understanding what qualifies someone for skilled nursing care can help you feel more confident in taking the next step.
What is Skilled Nursing Care?
Skilled nursing is a higher level of care for older adults who require ongoing medical attention, rehabilitation following a hospitalization or surgery, or extra support with daily activities that goes beyond what assisted living can provide. In a skilled nursing facility, care is delivered by skilled professionals such as registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs).
This level of care typically includes services such as medication management, medical monitoring, wound care, nutrition and dietary services, rehabilitation (physical, speech, and occupational therapy), as well as personal care and hygiene needs.
Here are 5 reasons a loved one may qualify for — and benefit from — skilled nursing care:
1. High Risk of Falls and Injuries
Safety concerns are one of the biggest reasons families seek skilled nursing care. If your loved one is experiencing repeated falls—or showing signs of unexplained bruises or injuries—they likely need more support. Skilled nursing communities provide 24-hour supervision, mobility and transfer assistance, and a safe environment designed to help prevent future accidents and injuries.
2. Chronic Disease Management
If your loved one is living with a progressive disease or chronic condition such as diabetes, heart disease, or Parkinson’s, they may eventually require continuous medical monitoring and care. This type of care isn’t usually possible in a home environment. Skilled nursing facilities provide around-the-clock care from licensed professionals who are trained to monitor symptoms, manage medications, and respond quickly to any changes to prevent complications and hospitalizations.
3. Difficulty with Daily Activities
There may come a time when daily routines such as dressing, eating, bathing, or using the restroom become too difficult or unsafe for your loved one to manage alone. Changes in mobility and cognitive decline can make these activities even more challenging, even leading to isolation and loneliness. Skilled nursing care provides 24/7 assistance with these essential activities—helping your loved one stay comfortable, maintain their dignity, and enjoy a better quality of life.
4. Recovery from Hospitalization or Surgery
Seniors may also qualify for a short-term stay in a skilled nursing facility following hospitalization for an illness, planned surgery, stroke, or cardiac event. Specialized rehabilitation services, including physical, occupational, and speech therapy, are designed to help older adults recover and regain their independence so they can safely return home.
5. Complex Medical Needs
Another reason seniors may qualify for skilled nursing care is the need for medical services that require the expertise and oversight of skilled nursing professionals. Examples include wound care, IV therapy, feeding assistance, medication management and injections, respiratory care, and colostomy or bladder catheter management. A skilled nursing setting is ideal for providing this level of care consistently and safely.
The decision to move a loved one into a skilled nursing facility is deeply personal. It often comes down to a referral by doctors and other healthcare professionals who understand their health status and unique needs. At Willow Brook, we’re here to support and guide you through the process—offering compassionate care every step of the way.
What to Expect with Willow Brook’s Long-Term Skilled Nursing Care
At Willow Brook, our long-term skilled nursing communities offer a warm, welcoming environment where residents receive compassionate care 24 hours a day. Our long-term skilled nursing residents have an all-inclusive rate that includes:
Skilled Nursing Care in the Columbus Area
If you’re exploring options for skilled nursing care in Columbus or surrounding areas, we invite you to tour Willow Brook Village in Delaware, Ohio, or Willow Brook Home in Columbus.
Willow Brook communities consistently earn top marks—including perfect scores from the Ohio Department of Health and 5-star ratings from Medicare.gov. Residents and families rank Willow Brook among the highest in the state for satisfaction, according to Ohio Department of Aging surveys.
Schedule a tour today to see what life is like at Willow Brook. We’d be honored to help you and your family navigate the next step in your care journey.