Comfort Home Care

Maryland & Washington, D.C. In-Home Care Agency

Serving Montgomery County, Prince George's County and Washington, D.C.
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What Is A Skilled Nursing Facility?

Maybe you’ve used the term “nursing home,” possibly even interchangeably with “old folks home.” But if specificity is important anywhere, certainly it is important among the bureaucratic language of Medicare and insurance policies. The phrase you were likely looking for was “skilled nursing facility.” So, what is a skilled nursing facility?

According to Medicare, a skilled nursing facility is “a nursing facility with the staff and equipment to give skilled nursing care and, in most cases, skilled rehabilitative services and other related health services.” Down the rabbit hole, that leads to the question of what, exactly, constitutes “skilled nursing care”? Simply put, that’s the care given or supervised by registered nurses.

In other words, a skilled nursing facility provides residents the most comprehensive care possible, short of what’s available at a hospital or similar medical center. Staff at such facilities can provide a range of assistance at all hours, including monitoring medical equipment, administering medications, changing dressings – practically anything but surgery. This is a very high level of care, and also very expensive. Though prices around the country vary, the online group “SkilledNursingFacilities.org” estimates the average cost for a year in a shared room in a Medicare-certified facility at more than $70,000, and rising.

While many people may reside in a skilled nursing facility for a limited period, such as post-surgery convalescence, these facilities will serve as the final home for many residents. About half of those residents pay the costs of living in a skilled nursing facility themselves, according to Medicare. For those who require this high level of costly care for an extended period, however, they will likely exhaust their assets to the point that they will qualify for Medicaid, which will cover most associated costs. The level of coverage, however, may vary by state.

While quality may also vary, Medicare offers a very useful online tool to educate consumers called “Nursing Home Compare.” Users enter a zip code, city or state, and all facilities in that given area are listed along with rankings in four areas: overall rating, health inspections, staffing and quality measures.

Couples Care: Keeping Relationships Whole

Couples Care: Keeping Relationships Whole
One guide you might find helpful:

Selecting an in-home caregiver? Learn why couples care is an affordable solution for families.

In-Home Care Providers: Agency Vs. Independent Contractors

Agency Vs. Independent In-home Care Provider
One guide you might find helpful:

Selecting an in-home caregiver? Learn the basics about Agency Vs. Independent Contractors In-Home Care Providers.

Need Help Selecting an In-Home Caregiver?

how to pick an in-home care provider
One guide you might find helpful:

Selecting an in-home caregiver? Learn the basics before you choose!

Is it Time for In-Home Care

Is it Time for In-Home Care
One guide you might find helpful:

Need a to know when to use In-Home Care? Read our guide "Is it Time for In-Home Care"!

A Family Guide for In-Home Dementia Care

Family Guide for In-Home Dementia Care
One guide you might find helpful:

Need a guide for In-home dementia care? Read our family guide for In-home dementia care!

Coming Home From Rehab. Now what?

Coming Home From Rehab. Now what?
One guide you might find helpful:

Need to know what to do after coming home from rehab? Read our guide "Coming Home From Rehab. Now what?"!

The Changing Care Needs of Parkinson’s Disease Patients

The Changing Care Needs of Parkinson’s Disease Patients
One guide you might find helpful:

Need to know about the changing care needs of parkinson's disease ? Read our guide "The Changing Care Needs of Parkinson’s Disease Patients"!

Understanding Strokes and Recovery

Understanding Strokes and Recovery
One guide you might find helpful:

Need to know about the warning signs of strokes? Read our guide "Understanding Strokes and Recovery"!

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121 Congressional Lane, Suite 201 Rockville, MD 20852
4000 Albemarle St., NW, Suite LL15 Washington, D.C., 20016
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