Skilled Nursing Facilities and Post Acute Care

Abstract

The rapid growth in the number of the elderly has created an unprecedented challenge to the current health system. Taking care of the frail elderly continue to face significant barriers achieving the desired and optimal care. The elderly are most vulnerable for higher rate of complications in the post acute care of their illness either due to mental, physical or psychosocial impairments, requiring multiple interventions needed on many fronts. Skilled nursing facilities are an essential part of the post acute geriatric care. Post acute care (PAC) encompasses a wide range of health care services that share the goal of restoring recently hospitalized patients to the highest level of functioning possible. Patients can access PAC services in a wide range of settings, including skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), inpatient rehabilitation facilities, long-term care hospitals, and in their own homes, with services from home health agencies [1] In this brief review, we will focus on key elements in the skilled aspect of the post acute care as a merging factor in the long term nursing facilities.