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