Are you nearing the stage in life where you are having to consider moving a loved one into a nursing home? If so, you are not alone. Thousands of people are struggling with the same decision that you are. Perhaps you have a loved on who is recovering from an awful case of pneumonia and has exhausted the time they can spend in the hospital, or maybe a family member who has recently undergone an invasive surgery. No matter what the situation may be, the good news for you is that because there are many skilled nursing care facilities to choose from, you can consider plenty of options before making your decision. Before starting your search, there are a few things to keep in mind that might help. Below are three of those items:

1. Variety of Therapy Services Offered – Many skilled care nursing facilities pride themselves on offering three main types of therapy to their patients: physical, speech, and occupational. Physical therapy is perhaps the most common type used in treatment plans because it has a goal of simply making daily tasks like climbing stairs and getting into and out of the bed, easier for the patient. Physical therapy regimens typically includes exercises like stretching, weightlifting, and walking.

2. Ensuring Around the Clock Care – Another benefit in moving your loved on into a nursing home is that you can be assured that they will be receiving 24-hour skilled nursing care. Whether they are recovering from pneumonia and need assisted breathing treatments throughout the day, or if they have suffered from a fall and need assistance moving into and out of the bed to use the restroom, having nurse available at all times is crucial.

3. Discharge Planning – Another service that is often offered by skilled care nursing facilities is discharge planning. This service essentially assists patients in transitioning from one level of care to another, whether it be more assistance or less. For instance, in the examples used before, a loved one recovering from pneumonia or a fall would likely need a discharge plan to help them transition from the nursing home back to their normal lifestyle.

Finding the right nursing home for your loved one can be a difficult task. You love them and because of that you want them to be taken care of and in the best space for their physical and mental health. On your search, look for the variety of therapy they offer, make sure they have 24 hour nursing care, and ask about what type of discharge planning they give to patients. Understanding those three items will hopefully decrease some of the stress you might be feeling in this transition.