Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF)

MaineHealth skilled nursing facilities offer medical, rehabilitation and other services that help patients transition home after a hospital stay.

What is a skilled nursing facility?

A skilled nursing facility is similar to a nursing home but offers more medical expertise and services. Patients receive skilled nursing and rehabilitation services to fully recover and regain independence. Conditions that may require a stay in a skilled nursing facility include:

• Recovery from joint replacement surgery
• Recovery process from a hospital stay due to illness or injury
• Stroke

Who provides care at skilled nursing facility?

Patients may receive care from:

• Registered nurses to give medications, monitor recovery and care for any wounds
• Physical therapists to help strengthen muscles and regain balance and function
• Occupational therapists to teach skills for doing everyday tasks
• Speech and language therapists to treat swallowing and communication problems
• Physicians who oversee the overall treatment plan

Conditions treated at skilled nursing facilities

Some types of care provided by skilled nursing facilities include:

• Stroke recovery - helping patients regain motor skills and speech functions
• Custodial care - helping patients with needs like bathing, dressing and eating
• General rehabilitation - speech, physical and occupational therapy  to help patients recover after an extended illness or invasive operation
• General wound care - cleaning wounds and administering antibiotics for infection
• Acute conditions - services offered for health-threatening illness, infection or injury
• Terminal illness care - services offered with hospice care for people living with terminal illness

Skilled nursing facility services

Services vary by location and insurance coverage, but many skilled nursing facilities offer:

• Semi-private rooms
• Meals
• Skilled nursing care
• Physical and occupational therapy
• Speech-language pathology services
• Medical social services
• Medication management
• Medical supplies and equipment
• Ambulance transportation
• Dietary counseling