Let us help you get informed
You’re having to make some serious decisions regarding the care and living arrangements of a loved one. This time can be a challenging process to collect all the information you need while making the right decisions for your family.
We’ve compiled several questions and answers we commonly hear from people just like you. Click on the question below to reveal the answer. If you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact us to ask us directly.
Assisted Living is designed for senior adults who value their independent lifestyle but may need some additional assistance in daily activities such as dressing, bathing or medication management.
Assisted Living communities are designed to nurture the independent spirit while assisting with the physical activities of daily living. Services provided include bathing, grooming, dressing and a wellness program. Some states also allow Assisted Living to offer medication assistance and/or wellness reminders.
Memory Care communities are specially designed to serve residents with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Services and amenities related to this type of care may also be offered in assisted living or skilled nursing care settings. Those services and amenities designed specifically for memory care may include self-contained neighborhoods, secured units or buildings, comprehensive supervision and security, medication assistance, rehabilitation programs and daily activities designed to keep minds active.
A Rehabilitative & Extended Stay (Skilled Nursing) Community provides 24-hour nurse supervision, meals, activities, wellness programming, and health management support to post-surgery and post-hospital residents. In addition, Rehabilitative & Extended Stay Wellness Centers offer long-term oversight for individuals who require 24-hour oversight and care management. Nursing staff members develop personalized care plans for each resident and work with them daily to ensure exceptional outcomes.
A Skilled Nursing Facility provides skilled nursing and rehabilitative care such as physical, occupational and speech therapies for the rehabilitation of recovering persons. Residents who are best suited for Skilled Nursing require 24-hour oversight by a licensed nurse.
Each person’s journey is unique, as is every family. However, a good indicator to consider Skilled Nursing as an option is a recent decline in health or a recent hospitalization. If these indicators are present, discuss options with your physician. A personalized assessment will be completed by the Skilled Nursing/post-acute care facility of your choice prior to admission to ensure all needs can be met. Please feel free to call us today to schedule your personalized assessment.
Most facilities provide furnished suites with room amenities not unlike your favorite hotel. The room typically includes furniture, electric bed, linens, television, and telephone service. For short term residents, our suggestion is to pack a suitcase with toiletries and clothes for one week at a time. We do encourage our guests to bring family pictures and other personal mementos for recovery inspiration and returning to independence.
A doctor sees a resident as often as is medically necessary. Medicare and insurance companies may also make recommendations on how often a resident should be seen, but visits are determined by individual resident needs.
Dining in the resident suite is an available option. Please notify your care team of your request and your meal will be delivered to you as requested, unless contraindicated by your physician of plan or care.
Visitation with family and friends is always encouraged. Should the resident be in short-term care, the visitor should check with the nurse to avoid conflict with the resident’s therapy schedule.
A skilled care stay is often needed after a surgery or hospitalization due to illness or injury. Medicare provides coverage for skilled care on a short-term basis when the following criteria are met:
- A senior is currently receiving Medicare Part A (Hospital insurance) benefits and is therefore 65 years or older or has been formally diagnosed with renal failure.
- A hospital stay of three or more consecutive days (three midnights) within the past 30 days.
- A physician has determined that skilled care and/or rehabilitation is medically necessary due to a current health condition.
- The skilled services required are provided in a facility that has been certified by Medicare.
If all of these conditions are met, Medicare will contribute to the nursing home cost required on a short-term basis (up to 100 days). Specifically, Medicare will provide 100% coverage for Skilled Nursing costs for the first 20 days of a nursing home stay. From day 21 through day 100 of the benefit period, the individual is responsible for paying 20% of the total cost while they continue to meet Medicare requirements.
Most Medicare supplement insurance will cover the co-pay up to day 100 of skilled services, providing the individual continues to meet Medicare requirements. Prior to admission, all insurance is verified by our facility financial advisor to give the family peace of mind that services will be covered.
Yes. When your coverage under Medicare Skilled Nursing is soon to end, the facility must give you a written notice titled, “Skilled Nursing Facility Advance Beneficiary Notice of Non-Coverage.” The form explains why your care is no longer covered. You or your legal representative will be asked to sign the form to acknowledge your receipt.
When a patient is discharged from a hospital or skilled nursing facility, a 30-day window exists where coverage may be reinstated. If a patient goes home from a hospital or skilled nursing facility, and their condition worsens within 30 days, Medicare may cover continued care at a skilled nursing facility.
You or your loved one may be able to receive short-term skilled nursing and rehabilitative services through Medicare benefits if:
- The person has traditional Medicare.
- The person was admitted to a hospital for three consecutive days, not counting the day of discharge or observation days.
- The person needs further care of the condition that was treated in the hospital or other conditions requiring skilled nursing or rehabilitation services.
- A physician certifies the patient requires skilled or rehabilitative care after a hospital stay.