Skilled Nursing Facilities Emerging as Viable Alternatives to Nursing Homes
Skilled Nursing News
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Contributed by: Kate Gamble
Summary
Skilled nursing facility (SNF)-at-home programs are emerging as viable alternatives to traditional nursing homes, aiming to ease bed shortages in rehabilitation facilities by facilitating recovery at home with the help of healthcare professionals and technology. Early trials, such as those at UMass Chan Medical School, have shown that patients prefer home recoveries, especially in rural areas where nursing homes are scarce. Successful implementations, like the one at Marshfield Clinic Health System, highlight better patient outcomes compared to conventional nursing facilities. However, challenges persist, including a lack of federal standards, unclear service offerings, and inadequate reimbursement from insurance plans, which complicate the broader adoption of these programs.
