Clint Hall is Director of Government Relations at NHC Healthcare. Before assuming his current role, Clint was an Administrator at NHC centers in Tennessee for more than 10 years. His longtime interaction with families in the senior care centers has given him special insights into the concerns of families as they make decisions about the right kind of care for their family member.

How do seniors get admitted to a skilled nursing center?

Seniors are often discharged after a three-night hospital stay to a center that provides the appropriate level of care recommended by the physician. Another way someone could enter is from home, possibly through a physician referral or similar means.

Are families prepared for the need for senior care?

Some families are and some aren’t. Sometimes, it is a shock to see someone has changed their level of need and families can be in a period of adjustment. Other times, it is a relief for families who have been through a long period of decline with a family member.

How are individuals grouped in the healthcare center setting?

Typically patients are grouped by their special healthcare needs such as rehabilitation, respiratory conditions, or dementia. We try to match medical complexity with the skilled medical care they need to provide the most specific care possible.

Do patients feel isolated in the healthcare setting?

We hear families coming in with that concern. But actually, the social interaction that they experience is tremendous. They often rediscover the things they used to enjoy. But, participation is not mandatory; if someone prefers not to engage in certain activities, they are free to opt out.

Do patients come for short-term care or long-term?

Some of our patients can stay as little as five days or a few weeks to get back to their regular active lifestyle, and that accounts for a large part of the activity at our centers. In cases where a resident is experiencing a worsening of a chronic illness or can no longer manage at home, we are happy to provide continuing care services.

What is the variety of care available for seniors?

There is skilled nursing where the highest level of medical care is offered, with RNs available all the time. With assisted living, there is a more moderate level of care needed which is primarily offered by LPNs. We also offer independent living apartments that provide meals and activities, but they are mainly designed for apartment-style living.

What are some things that families can do to prepare for senior care needs later in life?

What have you learned about yourself working in senior care?

Life is about relationships. You always say you can’t take it with you. But you can take those meaningful relationships with you. That’s what the last ten years have been for me.