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 Minnesota, nursing homes are regulated by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and must be licensed to operate. These facilities provide residential care for individuals who require regular medical attention but not the intensive care of a hospital. Nursing homes in Minnesota typically have a staff that includes nursing aides, Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs), and Registered Nurses (RNs) who are available around the clock. Additionally, many nursing homes in the state offer specialized care units for residents with severe memory conditions, such as Alzheimer's disease. Minnesota law also allows for the accommodation of couples in nursing homes, enabling them to live together if they both require the level of care provided by the facility. The state ensures that nursing homes adhere to standards that cover staffing, resident care, dietary services, and more to safeguard the health and well-being of all residents, not just the elderly but any adult requiring 24-hour care.