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 loved one's 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 end-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 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 provided at home safely.
Many times patients transitioning 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 and IV care. Assisted living centers
are designed for those who still want to retain their independence but need some
assistance with taking medications, bathing, dressing or meal preparation. Some
assisted living centers are designed specifically for patients with Alzheimer's
disease. Programming is focused on maintaining skills 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 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 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 choosing an assisted living
center?
In assisted living centers, seniors maintain control and
independence while receiving assistance with daily activities such as bathing
and dressing. Around-the-clock nursing staff is usually not available. Ask for a
tour and visit the center during off hours. Sample food, check out the
activities schedule, visit with residents and ask about talking to family
members. Ask the administrative team about its current survey history. Most
locations require private payment, so ask about cost and consider whether this
works with your financial situation.
What should I look for when selecting a home care
provider?
When selecting a home care agency, gather information about
how long it has been in business, the range of services provided to meet your
needs, the staff's knowledge in caring for patients with your particular needs,
and if staff are insured and bonded. Ask to meet with staff and assess their
commitment to meeting your physical, emotional and spiritual needs. Ask about
any specialized services the agency offers and whether or not it is
CHAP-certified.
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 members.
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 final 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 your loved one's and family's wishes? Will they provide support for
mind, body and spirit? Do they have testimonials from satisfied families? Can
you speak to them? Are they CHAP-accredited?
As a caregiver, I feel I need some help. Where can I turn
to?
As the child or spouse of an aging or ill loved one, guilt
or fear may prevent you from getting the help you need. Our admissions team will
be happy to provide you with literature support, community support programs and
information about our services, including respite care, to help you take a break
and get the rest you may need.
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
are 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? Does your loved one fear new surroundings? Does she
socialize easily?
I am concerned about the flu. What preventative measures
should I take?
Always check with your physician, but the best way to avoid
the flu is by getting a flu vaccine. You can also avoid picking up germs or
spreading them by washing your hands frequently, avoiding large crowds during
flu season and not visiting facilities if you are feeling ill. Cdc.gov has
additional information about the flu and the flu vaccine.
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.
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