Who pays for nursing home care?
Most of us don't think about how to pay for nursing home care until the need arises. When you visit our nursing home, ask to speak with our admissions coordinator. She can help you determine which long-term care benefits your loved one will qualify for. Here are some options.
• Medicare benefits are available to millions of Americans, including those over age 65 and some people under 65 who are disabled or suffer from permanent kidney failure.
• Medicaid is an option for eligible low-income patients in need of long-term nursing care. Eligibility requirements vary from state to state, and we can help you determine if you qualify.
• Many insurance companies and employers now offer long-term care insurance.
• Veterans benefits are available at some nursing homes through the Department of Veterans Affairs.
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What does Medicare cover?
For any eligible resident needing skilled nursing care, Medicare Part A coverage will pay for a semi-private room, meals, nursing services, rehabilitation services, medications, supplies and durable medical equipment for up to 100 days. For the first 20 days in a nursing home, Medicare covers 100 percent of skilled care. From Day 21 through Day 100, the resident must pay a daily co-insurance rate.
Residents who are eligible for the services covered under Medicare Part B will be responsible for an annual deductible plus 20 percent of the total charges for services such as occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech therapy, as well as medical supplies.
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How do I know if my loved one qualifies for Medicare Part A benefits?
Your loved one must have a Medicare card that reads "hospital insurance" and must have spent a minimum of three consecutive days (not counting the day of discharge) in a hospital. The hospital stay must not have occurred more than 30 days prior to entering the nursing home.
Further, a physician must certify that your loved one needs skilled nursing care on a continuing basis, and the need for skilled nursing care must relate to the reason for hospitalization.
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Does admission into a nursing home require a physician's order?
Always. Families usually work with their doctor to decide the right time to admit a loved one to a nursing home. Several factors -- including age, diagnosis, medical history and abilities of the primary caregiver -- play a part in that decision. Other times, the patient is admitted to a nursing home following a hospital stay. Ultimately, though, the decision to enter a nursing home lies with the patient and the family.
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What types of safety measures are in place for residents who may wander?
Part of the admission process is to evaluate the resident for a risk of wandering. If our care team determines that a resident may have a tendency to wander, the care plan will include interventions to reduce the likelihood that the resident will wander. In some instances, a bracelet-type device is worn by the resident and an alarm system alerts the staff if the person tries to leave the building.
Some of our nursing homes feature enclosed courtyards so that every resident can enjoy the outdoors. This type of courtyard is either enclosed by the building's exterior or a safety fence blocks the exit. We encourage our residents who tend to wander to participate in activities to keep them focused on an agenda other than wandering.
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Can my loved one bring furniture from home for the room?
To make each room feel as much like home as possible, we encourage residents to bring personal items with them when moving into our home. We do not limit any kind of furniture in resident rooms unless it invades the space of the resident's roommate or poses a safety hazard to other residents, visitors or our employees. Many of our residents have brought their own recliners, end tables, plant stands and television sets.
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Is cable television available?
Resident room hookups are available in the locations that offer cable television service. At some of the locations that offer cable, the resident is charged a monthly fee for this service.
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Do you offer telephone services for residents?
Pay phones are available for use throughout the building for residents and visitors alike. Residents may have private telephone service in their rooms, but the expense of the connection and the monthly bill will be charged to the resident.
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Can I come for a tour of the nursing home?
We always welcome families into our home and encourage you to call your local nursing home to arrange a tour today. We can accommodate your schedule because we're open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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Who chooses my father's roommate in a semi-private room?
Before your father is accepted for admission into a nursing home, our social services director will try to locate a room with someone who either shares his interests or has a similar background. If your father later wishes to move to another room, we will try to accommodate him as rooms become available.
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How often can I visit my mother in the nursing home?
Our home is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and you are always encouraged to visit. However, it's important to consider your mother's special needs -- for medications, rest, medical treatment, etc. -- when planning your visits.
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What are the best times to visit?
There is no limit on visiting hours for family members and friends, but we have found the most convenient hours for residents are between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.
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Can I bring food from home for my father during his nursing home stay?
Before you bring your father's favorite foods into the nursing home, check with the nursing staff or dietary manager because many of our residents must follow a special diet for health reasons.
Anytime you bring in food from home, be sure to store it in an air-tight container. Also, plan to arrive at mealtimes or snack times, when the food can be eaten, because our nursing homes have very strict guidelines for storing perishable food.
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