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 Utah, nursing homes are regulated by the Utah Department of Health, specifically through the Health Facility Licensing, Certification and Resident Assessment. These facilities are designed to provide residential living and medical care for individuals who require regular medical attention but not the acute care of a hospital. Utah nursing homes are staffed with various levels of nursing professionals, including nursing aides, Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), and Registered Nurses (RNs), who are available around the clock. Special care units for residents with conditions like Alzheimer’s disease are available in some facilities, addressing the need for memory care. Additionally, Utah regulations allow for the accommodation of couples in nursing homes, enabling them to live together if they both require the services provided by the facility. The state ensures that nursing homes comply with federal and state regulations to maintain the health, safety, and welfare of residents.