Skilled nursing care is the highest level of support offered outside a hospital. It's for people who need daily medical attention, not just help with dressing or meals. Think wound care, IV therapy, injections, catheter management, physical and occupational therapy after a fall or surgery, and round-the-clock monitoring from licensed nurses rather than aides. Some residents stay short-term to recover after a hospital stay before going home. Others move in for long-term care because their medical needs have outgrown what an assisted living or memory care setting can safely handle. Matthews has 12 skilled nursing providers, ranging from hospital-adjacent rehab units to standalone long-term care facilities, and the right fit depends heavily on why you need the care in the first place.
Before choosing, ask about the nurse-to-resident ratio on night and weekend shifts, since that's when staffing gaps show up most. Check the facility's most recent state health inspection and any citations tied to medication errors, falls, or infection control. Ask how they handle a resident's decline: do they manage worsening conditions on-site, or is transfer to a hospital automatic? Tour during a weekday afternoon, not just a scheduled visit, and watch how staff talk to residents, not just to you.
Our scoring weighs inspection history, staffing levels, therapy services offered, and how a facility handles medical emergencies, so you can compare all 12 options on more than just a glossy brochure. See how they stack up in our ranked guide to assisted living facilities in Matthews, NC, and read our methodology for exactly how we score and weight each factor.
