Nursing Homes

A nursing home is a residence for people who need assistance and constant care and may have difficulties performing daily functions. Nursing homes are places for people who don’t need to be in hospital but can’t be cared for at home. Nursing homes provide care to people with a variety of assistance needs, including the elderly and younger adults with physical or intellectual disabilities.

Residents in a skilled nursing facility may also receive physical, occupational, and other rehabilitative therapies following an accident or illness. Nursing homes can provide temporary, short term or long term accommodation to residents. The most common types of nursing homes are those providing care for aged people. These facilities may be setup as apartments, townhouses, or hostels. Some nursing homes will contain a range of accommodation types, to suit the changing needs of their residents. In addition to accommodation, nursing homes may include additional facilities such as dining and recreation halls, exercise and therapy facilities, music rooms and gardens. Most aged care nursing homes will provide specialist support for ailments such as dementia and heart disease.

Nursing homes for younger adults can provide special needs care for people with mental and physical disabilities, respite care for families, recuperative care following surgery and illness. Some nursing homes are set up like a hospital. Staff provide medical care, as well as physical, speech and occupational therapy. There might be a nurses’ station on each floor. Other nursing homes try to be more like home and will try to have a neighbourhood feel. Often, they don’t have a fixed day-to-day schedule, and kitchens might be open to residents. Staff members are encouraged to develop relationships with residents. Nursing homes may be run by private, church, hospital or community interests and are regulated by government legislation and should be registered.