Skilled Nursing Facility in Fort Worth, TX
A skilled nursing facility (SNF) provides medical care that must be given or supervised by licensed nurses and therapists. Trail Lake Nursing & Rehabilitation is a Medicare- and Medicaid-certified skilled nursing facility in southwest Fort Worth, licensed by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, with licensed nurses on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
What Skilled Nursing Care Means
Skilled nursing is different from personal or custodial care. Help with bathing or dressing can be given by trained aides, but some needs require the knowledge and judgment of a registered nurse (RN) or licensed vocational nurse (LVN), working under a physician's orders. Skilled care is often needed for a short time after a hospital stay, alongside short-term rehabilitation, and for some long-term care residents with ongoing medical conditions.
Skilled Nursing Services at Trail Lake
Wound care management
Our nurses assess, clean and dress surgical wounds, pressure injuries and diabetic wounds, track healing, and work with the physician and dietitian, since nutrition plays a big role in how wounds heal.
Intravenous (IV) therapy
IV antibiotics, fluids and other IV medications can be given here, which can allow a patient to leave the hospital sooner and finish treatment in a calmer setting.
Diabetes management
Blood sugar monitoring, insulin administration, diabetic diets planned with our registered dietitian consultant, and regular foot and skin checks help prevent complications.
Tracheostomy care
Our nurses provide routine tracheostomy (trach) care, including cleaning and suctioning, and coordinate with respiratory therapy.
Medication management
Nurses administer medications and monitor for side effects and interactions, with oversight from our pharmacy consultant. Electronic medical records help keep information accurate across shifts.
Post-surgical and cardiac care
After surgery or a heart or lung problem, nurses monitor vital signs, pain, breathing and fluid balance and report changes quickly, while therapists help rebuild strength.
Infection prevention and control
Our infection prevention and control program covers hand hygiene, isolation precautions when needed, vaccination support and staff training to protect residents.
Skilled Nursing, Home Health or Assisted Living?
Families are often weighing several options at once. In general terms:
- Home health brings nurses and therapists to the home for scheduled visits. It works well when someone is safe at home between visits and has help from family.
- Assisted living offers housing, meals and help with daily activities, but it is not designed for people who need licensed nursing care around the clock.
- A skilled nursing facility provides 24-hour licensed nursing care and daily therapy in one place. It is the right fit when medical needs or safety concerns are too great for home or assisted living, whether for a short recovery or for the long term.
Your doctor or hospital case manager can help you decide which level of care is appropriate, and our team is glad to answer questions.
Keeping Families Informed
Our nurses let families know about significant changes in a resident's condition, and families are invited to care plan meetings to review goals and progress. If you have a question about care, you can always ask the charge nurse or our Director of Nursing.
A Coordinated Clinical Team
Skilled care works best as a team effort. At Trail Lake, nurses work with our Medical Director, a pharmacy consultant, licensed physical, occupational and speech therapists, a registered dietitian consultant and a social worker. Pharmacy, laboratory, radiology, podiatry and dental services are available on site, which means fewer trips out of the building for residents who are not feeling well.
What a Skilled Nursing Stay Looks Like
On arrival, a nurse reviews the hospital orders and medications, checks vital signs and skin, and makes sure the patient is comfortable and settled. Over the next few days, therapists, the dietary manager and the social worker complete their assessments, and the team agrees on goals with the patient and family. From then on, nurses provide treatments and medications on schedule, monitor progress and changes, and keep the physician informed, while therapy sessions build strength and independence. As goals are met, the team plans the next step, whether that is going home with support or staying on for long-term care.
Who Pays for Skilled Nursing?
Medicare Part A can cover skilled nursing facility care after a qualifying hospital stay of at least three inpatient days when a doctor certifies that daily skilled care is needed. In 2026, covered days 1 to 20 have no coinsurance, days 21 to 100 have a daily coinsurance of $217.00, and coverage ends after day 100 in a benefit period. We also accept Medicaid, private pay and third-party insurance, and we check benefits before admission. Our admissions guide has the details.
Questions About Skilled Nursing
Is a skilled nursing facility the same as a nursing home?
The terms overlap. Many nursing homes, including Trail Lake, are licensed to provide both skilled nursing and rehabilitation and long-term care in the same building.
Will a doctor see me?
Yes. Care is provided under physician orders, and our Medical Director oversees the medical care in the facility. Your own physician may also continue to follow your care.
How do I arrange admission?
If you are in the hospital, ask your case manager to send a referral to Trail Lake Nursing & Rehabilitation. If you are at home, call (817) 263-2224 or contact us. You can also review all of our services and frequently asked questions.