Skilled Nursing
Post-acute Care
Following an injury, illness, or surgical procedure, many patients may not need the level of acute care provided in the hospital setting, but are not quite ready to go home. If your care team determines that skilled nursing care is best for you or a loved one, Community Memorial has several options to meet your needs.
What is Skilled Nursing?
Skilled nursing care refers to a level of care that can only be provided by an interdisciplinary team of licensed nurses, physical therapists, occupation therapists, speech pathologists, registered dietitians, and social workers. It goes beyond assistance with activities of daily living such as bathing and dressing and includes:
- Dispensing and monitoring medications
- Monitoring of vital signs
- Administering injections
- Catheter and colostomy care
- Wound care
- Enteral tube feedings
- Laboratory and imaging services
Skilled Nursing & Post-acute Care Options
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Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF): Skilled nursing facilities serve patients who no longer require hospital
level of care but require more care than can be safely provided at home.
They are a vital part of patients' continuum of care from hospital to
home. SNFs also provide long-term care to residents whose care needs can
no longer be met at home.
If you or a loved one is living with a chronic, complex medical condition that requires around-the-clock monitoring and the care of a registered nurse, a skilled nursing facility may be your best option. Alternatively, if you’re recovering from a stroke, major surgery, or other significant medical incident, a skilled nursing facility can provide the short-term safety net you need to recover before returning home.
Community Memorial’s Continuing Care Center offers short- and long-term skilled nursing care in the idyllic setting of the beautiful Ojai Valley. As the only skilled nursing facility in Ventura County located on the campus of an acute care hospital, you can rest assured that your loved one is in excellent hands at the Continuing Care Center. - Swing Bed Program: A swing bed program is a post-acute care level of service typically offered by rural or critical access hospitals that allows a patient to receive skilled nursing care in an acute hospital setting. Community Memorial Hospital – Ojai offers a swing bed program for our patients.
- Home Health: If you or your loved one need only intermittent or part-time care, you may elect to receive services from a home health agency. These agencies schedule licensed medical professionals for at-home visits to provide the care you need. The success of this type of care usually depends on the support system a patient has around them, and may not be appropriate for patients who live alone or don’t have family nearby. If your care team thinks home health might be a good option for you, Community Memorial’s social services team will help you navigate your options for in-home care.
