It is important to understand the difference between long-term care and acute care. Unlike acute care settings, long-term care often provides care for patients with chronic illnesses. There is a wide range of services that are provided in the long-term care setting. In this unit, we will explore these in greater detail.

Skilled Nursing Facilities

The care that is provided in skilled nursing facilities most often is provided to the elderly and disabled who have complex medical problems that prevent them from caring for themselves. The amount of time that a patient will stay in a skilled nursing facility will vary. For example, if the patient needed extended care for an acute medical problem – longer than what can be provided at a hospital – they may be discharged home once their treatment is complete. Conversely, some patients may go to a skilled nursing facility for the rest of their lives due to their medical problems being chronic and very complex.

Assisted Living Facilities

The care that is provided in assisted living facilities often serves individuals with limited independence, who need additional assistance with their activities of daily living, as well as individuals with mental health problems, developmental disabilities, or dementia. Assisted living facilities are considered a residential type of facility. The residents who live there may have an apartment-style home, with a common area for the residents to get together for a variety of social and recreational activities.

Rehabilitation Facilities

Rehabilitation facilities are places where an individual can go to receive acute care, that may include various therapy professionals, such as physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech therapists. Much of the care that is provided in rehabilitation facilities focus on restoring an individual’s functional and cognitive skills following disturbances that impact them performing their activities of daily living (ADLs). Some conditions that are treated in rehabilitation facilities may include, cerebral vascular accidents (CVA), also referred to as a stroke, injuries to the spinal cord and brain, surgical replacement or repair to the large joints of the body, such as the hip.

The overarching goal and the care that is provided at rehabilitation facilities are aimed towards short-term care, to help patients recover from injuries, medical procedures, or other significant health events.

Attributions

1. Figure 2.3: image released under the Pexels License
2. Figure 2.4: image released under the Pexels License