National Nursing Home Week is observed May 8 through 14. There still are misconceptions about nursing homes that I would like to address.

Not all nursing homes are the same, and we encourage you to tour different facilities and ask questions until you find one you are comfortable with.

Here are some facts about long term care:

• What distinguishes long term and skilled care from other healthcare settings is our focus on treating the whole person. Rather than focusing on one acute medical event or condition, we care for an individual’s total health, from managing chronic conditions to nutrition, wound care and emotional needs.

• Long term care involves the individual and the family or medical power of attorney working together with an interdisciplinary team including physicians, a dietitian, therapists, nurses, social workers and financial advisors.

Staff should always thoroughly answer your questions and concerns, and plan the best treatments and living conditions for your loved one.

• Skilled nursing facilities can provide a high quality of life, safety, security and enriching experiences to those who can no longer live independently in the home.

• Long term care is a calling for our caregivers. People who have respect and concern for the elderly and disabled contribute greatly to this industry because of their extraordinary patience and dedication to residents.

I would like to take this time to thank the staff, family members, friends and volunteer groups who give their talents and time to River’s Bend Health Care, where our motto is: We Care. Come See and Feel the Difference.

Ruth Hackworth, LNHA, is the administrator at River’s Bend Health Care in South Point.