Bakersfield Nursing Homes Information

An individual’s specific needs determine whether they need long-term care or short-term care. Depending on the institutions, Bakersfield skilled nursing facilities offer deliver either or both types of care.

Long-term care concentrates on extensive and extended medical treatment for those with serious conditions. These institutions care for patients with Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, dementia, cancer, neurological and cardiovascular problems and general physical decline. Patients are often driven to long-term care because their former care option can no longer properly care for them. In long-term care, patients receive skilled nursing care from experienced nurses and doctors. They are there to give routine check-ups, manage health and perform medical procedures such as injections, colostomies, medicine dosage, wound care, suction and catheters. Social help is administered through activities, events and trips coordinated by recreational professionals and through the companionship of social workers. Non-medical staff aid with activities of daily living, like dressing, washing, mobility issues and eating.

Short-term care is focused on helping patients rehabilitate from acute medical events. These events often put patients in a hospital. From there, outpatient treatment is often sought through short-term nursing visits. These visits utilize a prescribed plan of physical, occupational, auditory, respiratory, speech or other type of specialized therapy to rebuild the patient’s strength. Patients do not seek full recovery through nursing care, but rather enough of an improvement to move to less comprehensive care options, like in home or assisted living care. Hospital care is vital for patients seeking a proper start to their recovery process. Quality physicians will be able to supply both proper medical care and knowledgeable recommendations on area homes. In Bakersfield, Mercy Hospital and Bakersfield Memorial Hospital offer the best health care services based on patients’ hospital experiences.

Nursing care costs in Bakersfield fall well over the national average but only slightly over the California state median. Semi-private and private SNF rooms cost $7,361 and $8,060 per month.

Certain homes have shortcomings of which future patients need to be aware when researching for a quality skilled nursing facility. Complaints on specific homes are logged in state databases that are available to the public. Some facilities have gaps in care that can lead to different medical problems. Visiting individual homes can help seniors and their families get a feel for the facility’s amenities, staff, residents and general air.