Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get started in making health care decisions for myself or loved one?
Get started by including your primary care physician in the decision-making process. He or she can tell you about your physical, mental and emotional well-being so that you can start to understand what care will be the most beneficial.
What is Medicare?
Medicare is a health insurance program for people 65 or older or people under 65 with certain disabilities or en-stage renal disease. Medicare does not cover all expenses and is not designed to pay for long-term custodial care. So it is important to understand the program. For patients meeting requirements, Medicare helps cover the costs for hospital stays, skilled nursing home stays up to 100 days and hospice care. Our admission team members will be happy to provide you with current rates and coverage.
What is Medicaid?
The Medicaid program provides medical benefits to low-income people who have no medical insurance or inadequate medical insurance. The federal government establishes general guidelines for the program, but each state establishes the program’s requirements including eligibility. You can find out more about the Medicaid program through cms.gov or by talking to our admissions team.
What does Medicare pay?
On day 1 through 20, Medicare pays 100% of the covered charges. A daily payment will apply on days 21-100.
What does Medicaid pay?
Services covered include room and board, nursing care, meals and certain (not all medications are covered by Medicaid). A detailed list is available by our financial office.
What are the different levels of care available?
Skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers are for those recovering from illness, injury or surgery. Many patients need additional medical and rehabilitative therapies before successfully transitioning from hospital to home. In addition, some residents choose to make a skilled nursing center their permanent home. In this case, it usually means residents need medical supervision and support that can no longer be provides at home safely. Many times patients transition home from a hospital or skilled nursing center still need some medical and rehabilitative support at home. Home care can provide this assistance along with medication management, education about a newly diagnosed disease, lifestyle changes an IV care. Assisted living centers are designed for those who still want to retain their independence but need some assistance with taking medication, bathing, dressing or meal preparation. Some assisted living centers are designed specially for patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Programming is focused on maintaining sills and retaining quality of life. Hospice care is available for patients diagnosed with a life-limiting illness. Hospice can provide the physical, emotional and spiritual support to patients and their families to help work through this challenging time.
What should I look for when choosing a skilled nursing and rehabilitation center?
For short-term stays focused on rehabbing a patient home, ask the center about its successful outcomes treating patients with your or your loved one’s illness, injury or disease. Ask about the staff’s knowledge about post-hospital care. Tour the center for cleanliness, friendliness of staff and amenities that are important to you. Ask to sample food and visit with patients similar to you or your loved one.
What should I look for when selecting an Alzheimer’s care facility?
When searching for care for a loved one living with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia, the focus should be on finding a location that has a warm, peaceful and safe environment. Ask what type of programming is offered and if it is customized to each individual. How do they handle residents who are no longer interested in eating, or those who wander or exhibit behavior such as depression? Ask to speak to current family member. Visit the center and watch how the staff interacts with the residents. Check out the cleanliness of residents and the center.
What should I look for when selecting a hospice care provider?
Hospice providers should ensure that your loved one spends his or her finals days in comfort. Ask the agency about staff knowledge. Do they have volunteers and counselors trained for your specific needs? Are they focused on meeting you loved one’s and family wishes? Will they provide support for mind, body and spirit? Do they have testimonials from satisfied families? Can you speak to them?
What should I think about when moving a loved one into a long-term care setting?
Making the move to a long-term care setting can be one of the most difficult decisions you make. To help you and your loved one get acquainted with the center, make sure you discuss these items with the health care providers so they can help make the transition as smooth as possible. What is the patient’s diet likes and dislikes? How mobile is she? How much can she manage her personal care and hygiene? What were her former living conditions like? What support did she have? What role does religion play in your loved one’s life? What are your loved one’s routines and habits, as well as hobbies? What about mental capacity? Doe you loved one fear new surroundings? Does she socialize easily?
Visiting my loved one at a long-term care center is difficult. How can I make it more enjoyable and fulfilling for both of us?
Visitors are very important to our residents, and a well-planned visit can be rewarding for both of you. When visiting a loved one, talk to the staff about the best time to visit your loved one. Coach your children on what to expect, and plan an activity such as working on a photo album, writing letters, playing cards or a game, or eating a meal together. If your loved one can manage, plan an activity outside of the center. Check with the center on its policy on bringing cherished pets to the facility for visits.
The following steps are necessary before you or your loved one can be admitted:
1) Pre-screening from a community senior services agency. We can refer you to an agency in your area. As a requirement by the state for any facility, this agency determines the level of need for nursing home care. Once the screening declares long-term care is necessary, you have a 90-day grace period in which you must be admitted to a long-term care setting. If a decision is made after the grace period, a new screening is required.
2) Submission of a physical taken within 5 days prior to your admittance or within 72 hours after admission to our center. Your physical must include a current medical history to help us better understand you needs.
3) A list of current medication that you are taking.
4) Upon receipt and approval of the above submitted information, we will contact you to set a time and date for admission.
5) Upon the day of admission, or any time prior to that day, your review and signature of the Admission Agreement contract is required for all long-term care facilities. This contract allows us the consent to provide treatment and care. We prefer to meet with you in advance so that we can address your concerns and answer any questions you may have before joining our family.
Prior to or upon admission, please bring the following documents and information:
1) Any advance directive; living will or power of attorney documents
2) Medicare card
3) Medicaid card or application
4) Medicare Part D card
5) Photo ID
6) Insurance cards
7) Supplemental and/or other insurance information
8) Social Security card
9) Financial information including your assets and income