A nursing home is a residential-living and medical-care facility for people who do not need the degree of medical care provided by a hospital but who need some regular medical attention. Most nursing homes have nursing aides, Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), and Registered Nurses (RNs) on staff and available 24 hours a day.
Some nursing homes have special care units for people with serious memory problems such as Alzheimer’s disease. And some nursing homes will allow couples to live together. Most nursing home residents are older persons but other adults who require 24-hour care may also live in nursing homes.
In Louisiana (LA), nursing homes are regulated by the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH), which ensures that these facilities comply with state and federal laws to provide a safe and healthy environment for residents. Nursing homes in Louisiana are required to have licensed staff, including nursing aides, LVNs, LPNs, and RNs, available 24 hours a day to meet the medical needs of residents. The state also mandates specific staffing ratios and qualifications for personnel working in these facilities. Special care units for residents with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia must adhere to additional regulations that address the unique needs of these individuals. Louisiana permits couples to reside together in nursing homes, provided the facility can accommodate such arrangements while still delivering the necessary care. The Louisiana Nursing Home Association (LNHA) may also provide guidance and standards for nursing homes operating within the state. All nursing homes must comply with the Nursing Home Reform Act under the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 (OBRA '87) at the federal level, which sets forth national minimum standards of care and residents' rights.