|
Nursing
& Rehabilitative Care FAQs
Click
here for a printer-friendly version of the Nursing & Rehabilitative
Care FAQs.
Beginning
the search for a nursing or rehabilitative care community can be
a very emotional and difficult process. Along with your search,
certainly come many questions and concerns. Being a care provider
for over 30 years, HCF has experts in all disciplines of care that
are prepared to answer your questions. The care community you choose
will have a profound impact on your loved one’s quality of
life and sense of dignity. Whether you are making a decision during
a crisis or planning ahead, be sure to keep the resident involved
in the decision making as much as possible. When you compare care
communities, some factors are more important then others. While
we try to be the best care community, remember that no nursing community
will be perfect for everyone.
What
to consider when selecting an HCF care community.
Q:
What is an HCF care community?
An
HCF care community is a residential center that provides 24-hour,
skilled, medical, personal and social services to individuals
requiring continual care, as well as short-term stays for rehabilitative
services.
Q:
When should an HCF care community be considered?
Consideration
should be given to placing a loved one in a care community when
they can no longer live independently, or if intensive short-term
rehabilitative care is required. If the individual requires continual
assistance with most activities of daily living, such as getting
out of bed, eating, bathing, dressing and using the bathroom,
it may be time to talk with his or her physician about an HCF
care community.
Q:
How will we know which HCF care community to choose?
There
are many decisions to consider when selecting a care community. We
suggest you utilize our free Care
Community Checklist in our Resource section.
Q:
Does admission into an HCF care community require a physician’s
order?
Yes.
Families usually work with their physician to decide the right
time to admit a loved one to a care community.
Q:
What are the ways in which an individual can be admitted to an HCF
care community?
a.
From the Hospital: A discharge planner or social worker is the
usual liaison between the hospital and the care community and
the family. The discharge planner or social worker will provide
care community selections to the family that are appropriate for
the type of care that is needed. However, the family is encouraged
to tour the facilities and become acquainted with the services
available.
b.
From Home: Through word of mouth, yellow pages, Internet searches
etc., you will be able to locate the various care communities
in your area. Contact the care communities, or stop by for a tour
and to identify if the care community meets your needs.
c.
From Another Care or Assisted Living Community: When an individual
is transferred from another facility because of changing care
needs, dissatisfaction, or location concerns, inform the administrator
of your plans to transfer the individual.
Financial
Considerations
Q:
How are services in HCF care communitiess paid for? There are several
options available which are dependent on each situation.
1.
Private Pay: An individual pays for the services out of his or
her own resources.
2.
Medicare:
Medicare covers the cost of a care community stay only under certain
circumstances. The criteria are as follows:
a.
The individual requires skilled care.
b. The care is provided only after a three (or more) day hospital
stay for treatment of the same illness or condition that was
treated in the hospital.
c. The care community is a Medicare-approved skilled nursing
facility with a registered nurse on duty 24-hours a day.
d. The patient is assigned to a bed that is Medicare-certified
for reimbursement.
e. Only a care community can provide the skilled care required.
f. Even if these criteria are met, Medicare only covers the
costs of care for up to 20 days. An additional 80 days may be
provided on a co-payment basis. For additional information on
Medicare, visit Medicare.gov.
g. Certified by physician if skilled care required.
3.
Medicaid:
a.
Medicaid regulations allow care to be provided for those who
do not have the means.
4.
Veterans Administration: If the individual is a veteran of the
U.S. armed forces, it will be to your advantage to investigate
services available through the Veterans Administration.
5. Long Term Care Insurance: Long Term Care Insurance is becoming
more common. Each individual policy varies and should be discussed
with your financial advisor for coverage benefits.
What
You Should Expect When a Loved One is Placed in an HCF care community?
Q:.
Is a physician available in an emergency?
Yes.
Q: Are personal physicians allowed?
Yes.
Q:
How are residents and families involved in care plans?
Care
plans begin with a comprehensive assessment of the resident, including
level of function and social, mental and medical condition. The
plan should focus on maximizing independence and functioning at
the highest level possible. The care plan is revised every quarter
or whenever the resident’s
condition changes. Families are invited and encouraged to participate
in the quarterly care plan sessions.
Q:
Are other medical services available (i.e., dentists, podiatrists,
optometrists, etc.)?
Yes.
Q:
Is a licensed nurse always available?
Yes,
licensed nurses are on staff in our HCF care communities 24 hours
a day.
Q:
Does a dietitian plan menus for residents on special diets?
Yes.
Q:
Are barbers and beauticians available?
Yes.
Q:
Who are the providers of primary services?
All
of our staff are professionally trained and licensed where required.
The primary caregivers consist of:
a.
Professional Nurses: provide, and ensure the adequacy and appropriateness
of the medical services provided to the residents.
b.
Activities Professional: a trained professional who is designated
to assess residents’
individual needs and create programs that provide recreation,
entertainment and therapy for residents.
c.
Social Service Staff: consists of social workers who assist
residents in coping with the psychological aspects of aging.
d.
Food Service Supervisor: oversees the care community’s
daily meal program.
e.
Environmental Services: oversee the environment, housekeeping,
laundry, and maintain a clean and safe care community for the
resident, families and staff.
f.
Administrative Services: oversee the daily operational functions.
Q: What kind of room will the resident have and what will their
roommate be like?
Private-single
room
Semiprivate-double room
(Every effort is made to match compatible personalities and interests
in our semiprivate rooms.)
Q:
What items should be brought to the care community?
Upon
admission, a Hospitality Guide is provided to each resident and
family to help them identify items that will be needed during
their stay.
Q:
Can I bring food from home for my loved one during their stay in
the care community?
Yes.
Before you bring your loved one’s
favorite food into the care community, check with the nursing staff
because many residents must follow special diets for health reasons.
Q:
How often can I visit my loved one in the care community?
Our
care communities are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and you
are always encouraged to visit.
Q:
Do I do the laundry for my loved one?
Laundry
services are provided for the residents.
Q:
Is my loved one allowed to bring their favorite pet?
Each
HCF care community has individualized guidelines for pets.
Q:
Do I bring my loved one’s medicine with them?
No.
Q:
Do you provide transportation to outside follow-up appointments?
Arrangements
can be made for outside appointments.
Q:
What type of activities are provided and are we invited to participate?
HCF
care communities offer two types of activities: therapeutic and entertainment.
Therapeutic programs are programs that are designed to meet the
social, and medical needs of each resident and can be provided
in a group or individualized setting. Entertainment activities
are provided for socialization and entertainment purposes.
Q:
Can I take my loved one out for the day, and how long can they be
gone?
Yes,
if medically appropriate and approved by the attending physician.
Please contact the appropriate HCF care community personnel to
determine how long loved ones can be out of the center.
Q:
How often are meals served, can I eat with my loved one, and are
snacks available?
Meals
are served based upon the dietary needs of the resident. Snacks
are available.
|
Assisted
Living FAQs
Click
here for a printer-friendly version of the Assisted Living FAQs.
No one
wants to give up his or her home and the lifestyle enjoyed over
the years. But HCF offers an Assisted Living Program that not only
provides independence, freedom and peace of mind, but also provides
the added convenience and security of transportation, home maintenance,
meals, 24-hour security and more. The HCF Assisted Living Program
is specifically designed for those who are not ready for the intensive
level of care found in a care community, but cannot manage the daily
tasks of living alone.
Q: What
is Assisted Living?
An
HCF Assisted Living community is a special combination of housing
designed for individuals seeking companionship, security and assistance/supervision
with the activities of daily living, in a caring homelike environment
that promotes and enhances independence as long as possible.
Q: Who
is Assisted Living designed for?
Assisted
Living is a unique approach that brings families peace of mind.
For adult children who worry about a parent living alone, or for
an elderly husband or wife whose spouse is experiencing a health
challenge, assisted living is truly a choice to feel good about.
It is ideal for those who are not ready for the intensive level
of care found in a care community but cannot manage the daily
tasks of living alone.
Q: When
will I know that it is time to consider Assisted Living?
Many
factors may play a role in your decision. Some considerations
include:
- Difficulty
performing daily tasks and no one to help
- Assistance/supervision
needed preparing meals
- Assistance/supervision
with housekeeping chores and/or laundry
- Assistance/supervision
needed dressing and bathing
- Occasionally
require health care assistance and/or monitoring
- Need
transportation to doctors, shopping and personal business
- Observe
moments of confusion or experiencing memory loss problems
Q: What
characteristics would a senior exhibit?
- Usually
seniors, over sixty-five
- May
require personal care services, a supportive environment and assistance/supervision
with activities of daily living and/or limited nursing care
- Likely
to have a stable income
- May
be experiencing health problems that are not debilitating, but
may require limited assistance
- May
face loneliness due to death of spouse/friends
- May
not be able to care for current home-cleaning and maintenance
- May
have difficulty with food preparation
- May
require assistance in decision making
Q: How are
the costs associated with HCF Assisted Living Services paid for?
Residents or families generally pay the cost of assisted living
from their own financial resources. Some types of long term care
insurance may reimburse for all or a portion of the assisted living
cost.
Q: What
types of services are provided in an HCF Assisted Living community?
- Basic
housing
- Meals
- Housekeeping
- Laundry
- 24-hour
monitoring
- Socialization/activities
- Local
transportation
- Various
care level options are provided based upon the individual’s
needs
- Activities
Q: What
belongings should we bring when moving in?
The
resident’s suites are their homes. We encourage our residents
to furnish their own suites and decorate them to suit their personal
tastes.
Q: Can
I take my loved one away from the assisted living community on a
trip?
Yes.
Q: May
I have friends come and visit?
Residents’
friends and family are always welcome. We encourage residents
to utilize our common areas for family gatherings and activities
with friends.
|
