Frequently Asked Questions

While both focus on restoring strength and mobility, occupational therapy emphasizes helping individuals adapt to daily life tasks and their environment. At Emerald Trace, our occupational therapy services are part of our personalized rehabilitation care and may include:

• Education and training in dressing, bathing, grooming, and eating

• Activities to support memory, cognitive function, and orientation

• Use of adaptive equipment and techniques to overcome physical challenges

• Strength and coordination exercises tailored to daily tasks

• Joint movement exercises to manage conditions like arthritis

Speech therapy is recommended when individuals experience difficulty with communication or swallowing due to illness, injury, or age-related conditions. At Emerald Trace, our speech-language pathologists provide personalized therapy as part of our comprehensive rehabilitation services. Treatment plans may include:

• Improving speech clarity and language skills

• Supporting verbal and nonverbal communication, including for the hearing-impaired

• Strengthening oral muscles needed for speaking and swallowing

• Providing appropriate diet recommendations based on swallowing ability

Yes, short-term rehabilitation and skilled nursing care are often covered by Medicare Part A and many Medicare Advantage plans following a qualifying inpatient hospital stay. Medicare coverage depends on meeting eligibility requirements and the specific benefits of your plan. Our admissions team is available to review your individual case and help you understand what services may be covered.

Skilled nursing care provides medical and rehabilitation services for individuals recovering after a hospital stay. At Emerald Trace, patients receive ongoing care from licensed nurses and therapists, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy, all coordinated with your primary care physician. This level of personalized therapy helps support a safe, confident transition back home.

Short-term skilled nursing care is often needed after an illness, injury, or surgery to support recovery and help prevent re-hospitalization. Many individuals choose to receive rehabilitation services following discharge from an inpatient hospital stay. At Emerald Trace, eligible patients may also be admitted directly from the emergency room if their condition is stable and does not require hospital admission.

Skilled nursing care for seniors is commonly recommended for:

• Peritoneal dialysis

• Post-surgical recovery

• Stroke recovery and other brain injuries

• Diabetes management

• Parkinson’s disease

• Recovery after a fall, fracture, or joint replacement

• Wound care and IV therapy

• Acute medical conditions such as heart failure or COPD

Our team works closely with hospitals, physicians, and insurance providers to support safe transitions into short-term rehabilitation care.

While terms like skilled nursing care, long-term care, custodial care, and intermediate care are often used interchangeably in senior care services, they have important differences. These differences typically relate to the type of care provided, how long it is needed, who pays for it, and the licensing requirements of the facility and staff. Skilled nursing care usually involves short-term, medically necessary support after a hospital stay, while long-term care focuses on ongoing assistance with daily living in a residential setting.

Long-term care is necessary when a person requires 24/7 support with custodial care tasks such as bathing, dressing, grooming, eating, and mobility. This level of care is often part of senior care services for individuals with complex physical or emotional needs that prevent safe, independent living.

Common conditions that may require long-term care include:

• Chronic severe pain

• Ongoing medical conditions

• Permanent disabilities

• Dementia or Alzheimer’s disease

• Terminal illness

• Advanced age with increased frailty or need for supervision

Our long-term care services are designed to support safety, comfort, and dignity for those who need daily assistance.