South Bend Nursing Homes

South Bend nursing homes deliver advanced medical and social care to patients and seniors with a vast range of diagnoses and illnesses. Area homes, also called skilled nursing facilities, treat sub-acute, acute, chronic, temporary and terminal health concerns. Nurses, physicians, therapists, social workers, non-medical personnel and dietitians are part of the multidisciplinary team of caregivers that collaborates to care for the specific needs of all patients.

South Bend skilled nursing facilities offer services for short-term and long-term care. Some institutions are equipped to handle both types of care. Certain facilities also have special care units for particular medical conditions, like spine injuries or diabetes.

Short-term care is centered on rehabilitation services for patients who have recently fallen victim to a heart attack, stroke, aneurism, fall or other acute medical crisis. Around 75 percent of short-term patients are in nursing care as outpatient care after a hospitalization. Under short-term care, nursing professionals prescribe a plan of recuperation that will help patients get back on their feet as quickly as possible. Facilities often give patients access to occupational, respiratory, speech, physical and other specialty types of therapy. The main goal of short-term care is to help patients move on to less inclusive types of care. Discharged patients normally seek some type of assisted living or in home care option.

Hospital care is the initial component to many short-term patients’ recoveries. Patients should attempt to get the best health care services they can, under the circumstances. Quality hospital treatment can set an appropriate base for nursing care to effectively treat their patients. South Bend’s best area hospitals, based on patients’ hospital experiences, are Memorial Hospital of South Bend and Unity Medical and Surgical Hospital.

Long-term care admits patients who need extensive and extended treatment for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, cancer, kidney or cardiovascular disease, multiple sclerosis and other serious medical problems. Patients often seek long-term care because their former type of care could no longer properly treat their condition. The complex needs of long-term patients demand collective and cooperative treatment. Physicians and nurses correspond to give regular check-ups and perform complicated medical procedures like medicine adjustments, wound care, colostomies, intravenous therapy and injections. Non-medical personnel care for the custodial and basic hygiene needs of patients. Social workers are on hand to provide a level of companionship and reassurance to patients.

Nursing care costs in South Bend fall well above the national average and Indiana median level. Private SNF rooms cost $7,800 per month, around $1,000 per month higher than the state median. Semi-private accommodations cost $7,163 per month, nearly $1,500 above the Indiana median.

Many patients and their families have difficulties paying for nursing care because it is not covered by traditional health insurance. Financing often comes from out of pocket or other private means. For those who fall under government program coverage, they should be aware of their limited reach. Medicare only pays for a fraction of the cost of care. The first 20 days of nursing stays are fully covered and the next 80 days are subject to a copayment. That is all for a benefit period. Medicaid’s eligibilities differ from state to state. Certain facilities do not accept Medicaid coverage. It is vital for prospective patients to be aware of what benefits they deserve. Proper planning and preparation can make the process of pulling together funds much less painful.

Our site wants to give seniors and their families essential information about nursing care, so they can make an educated decision when choosing a skilled nursing facility for themselves or their loved ones.