If you are wondering about the difference between personal care and skilled nursing services, you are likely trying to figure out their role in your elderly loved one’s healthcare. If you are in the process of choosing the best living option, this is crucial information for you to know, as it greatly informs your decisions. Both personal care and skilled nursing services significantly help ensure the continued well-being of an elderly person. However, they serve different purposes depending entirely on an elder’s current capabilities, so keep reading for more information.
Personal Care
The most significant difference between personal care and skilled nursing services is people who provide personal care are not medically trained professionals. Personal caregivers receive training to offer elderly folks assistance with activities of daily living. Activities of daily living consist of essential self-care duties one performs every day: eating, dressing, hygiene, mobility, and toilet usage. Personal care providers are there to enhance your elder’s daily quality of life.
Age in Place
Personal care providers provide elders with a means to "age in place," meaning they can stay in the comfort of their own homes while receiving assistance. So long as your loved one is in good health, you may consider employing a personal care provider to attend the house regularly. Guardian In-Home Health & Security offers in-home personal care assistance to help your senior citizen age in place.
Skilled Nursing
Skilled nurses provide around-the-clock care for older adults who require more extensive medical care and therapy. Often, skilled nursing services are for the short-term stay of those who have recently had surgery, injury, or any deterioration in health. Because of their age, older adults are at an increased risk of complications following a hospital stay, requiring extra attentive medical care.
Skilled Nursing Communities
Although skilled nursing services are usually for short-term stays, some elderly people require extensive long-term care. In that case, they will take residence in a skilled nursing community. The residents in these communities usually need assistance with all activities of daily living. Moreover, they also have medical conditions that require intensive medical supervision that only a medical professional can provide.