Nursing
homes are skilled nursing facilities and convalescent homes. Many
of us never consider the importance of these valuable caring resources
within our community until faced with a member of our family who needs
specialized full-time care.
With
our aging population significantly on the increase the demand for nursing
home places has increased. Nursing homes can provide temporary rehabilitation
or convalescent care; or permanent care for those with serious medical
conditions.
A nursing
home or care home with nursing, has Registered Nurses who can help provide
professional 24 hour care to those who can no longer adequately attend
to themselves due to physical, emotional or mental conditions. A
licensed doctor supervises patient care and nurses are on the premises
at all times to administer appropriate treatment.
Most
nursing homes offer skilled medical care and custodial care. Skilled
medical care is normally associated with the administration of medication,
and therapeutic
treatments. Custodial care is the assistance with everyday living tasks
such as toileting, bathing, eating etc.
Nursing
and Care homes for adults in England are regulated by Care Quality Commission,
which replaced the Commission for Social Care Inspection, and each care
home is inspected at least every three years. In Wales the Care Standards
Inspectorate for Wales has responsibility for oversight, In Scotland the
Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care and in Northern Ireland
the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority in Northern Ireland.
