How to Choose a Skilled Nursing Facility After Injury or Illness

Recovering from an injury, illness, or surgery can be demanding, but it becomes manageable with the proper care and environment. Experienced caregivers are available to help you or your loved one regain strength, independence, and vitality. Here’s how to choose skilled nursing near the San Francisco Bay Area to support your recovery.

A Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF), also known as a nursing home, provides the necessary medical support and emotional encouragement for recovery after hospital discharge. 

Choosing the right skilled nursing care can significantly improve the quality of your recovery, long-term health, and well-being. Sequoia Living provides skilled nursing care in three Bay Area locations: San Francisco, Portola Valley, and Greenbrae in Marin County. 

Sequoia Living’s three skilled nursing facilities are among the exclusive 19% nationally that earned a “High Performing” rating, the highest possible achievement as part of the  2025 U.S. News Best Nursing Homes report. 

Skilled nursing care is available to non-Sequoia Living residents or older adults who might need medical care as part of their recovery. Learn more about Sequoia Living’s skilled nursing services.

With so many options, knowing what to look for when selecting a skilled nursing facility is important.

A skilled nursing facility is a licensed building that offers 24/7 care with oversight by physicians and RNs. It provides medical care where people can regain strength, vitality, and independence after surgery, illness, injury, or a hospital stay.

Skilled nursing rehabilitation is short-term after a health event such as a broken hip, stroke, or other injury or illness. Long-term care centers, also known as nursing homes or care homes, are for people who need full-time care by nurses and nursing aides. Many SNFs are comprised of both long and short-term care. 

Many call these “nursing homes,” as a common catch-all phrase. Nursing homes are generally not intended for people who need assisted care or dementia services like those provided at Sequoia Living’s assisted living and memory care communities. However, people who have dementia may live in a nursing home or skilled nursing for end-of-life care. If you need further assistance understanding the type of care you need, please reach out, and we will be happy to evaluate your unique situation and guide you to the appropriate care level.

Each center provides a range of health and personal care services designed to help people regain their health. Skilled nursing facility offer short-term and long-term rehabilitation in a professional, nurturing environment. Short-term skilled nursing focuses on temporary care, typically 14 to 30 days following a hospital stay, helping individuals recover and transition back home. For those needing continued medical attention or extended post-acute care, long-term stays provide the necessary support and rehabilitation services to enhance quality of life. 

People receive round-the-clock care from a team of fully licensed, trained, and empathetic professionals, including:

• Medical Doctors
• Registered Nurses
• Physical therapists
• Occupational Therapists
• Speech Therapists
• Certified Nursing Assistants

In addition to medical care, SNFs have access to various programs and services, including:

• Person-centered care
• Medication management and monitoring
• Assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), including bathing, dressing, and grooming
• Dietitian-planned meals and snacks
• Spiritual care services

Evaluating your needs and preferences is essential to choosing a rehabilitation center that meets your needs and preferences.

Important factors to consider before choosing skilled nursing care for post-surgery recovery:

• Program availability
• Where is the center located?
• Do you need short or long-term care services?
• Does your treatment plan require inpatient and/or outpatient rehabilitation?
• Do you need assistance bathing, dressing, and grooming?
• Will you need help with managing a chronic illness or medication?
• Do you have dietary restrictions?
• What additional services and amenities might you require?

Before admission, many centers will coordinate care with your physician and care team to ensure their community can provide the specialized care needed for a successful recovery.

Skilled Nursing Costs

Cost is crucial for seniors and their families when choosing skilled nursing care. You need to ensure the center you choose is within your financial means. Many center teams will review their costs and verify that your insurance coverage aligns with their services.

Critical factors such as clinical expertise, core values, overall atmosphere, and location should be considered when researching skilled nursing facilities.
Ask for recommendations from your physician, surgeon, family, and friends. Check online reviews, ratings, and customer testimonials of skilled care facilities in your area.

Visiting and Evaluating Skilled Care Facilities

Before making a decision, visit and tour potential skilled nursing facilities. During your visits, make the following observations:

• How is the cleanliness of the grounds, lobby, living spaces, and bathrooms?
• Does the professionalism and friendliness of staff meet your standards?
• Are therapy rooms equipped with modern tools and technologies?
• Does the center practice individualized care?
• Does the center have appropriate safety protocols?
• Are residents engaged in activities, and do they seem comfortable and happy?

By assessing your needs and preferences, evaluating costs, researching and evaluating centers in your area, you’ll be better prepared and move forward confidently when choosing a center that is right for you.

If you’re looking for a center that offers the highest standards of care from fully licensed, trained, and compassionate professionals, contact one of our communities. The Sequoias Portola Valley, The Sequoias San Francisco, or The Tamalpais Marin can help!