Having decided to look at long term care
facilities can be a new chapter in a person’s life, however it is often
followed by a few challenges since finding the right facility for you can be
difficult.
Types
of Long Term Care Facilities
Remember to thoroughly investigate the
following resources:
- Family physician
- Licensing Reports
- Religious organizations
- Hospital discharge planner
- Close friends and neighbors
There are different ways as to how long
term care services and supports can be administered and some of these services
require specific facilities to provide care.
Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs)
Licensed Skilled Nursing
Facilities, also called nursing homes or convalescent hospitals, provide
24-hour skilled nursing care.
SNF Staff include:
·
Nurses
·
Nursing assistants
·
Social services
·
Activities staff
Skilled nursing
care can also be selected and be paid for privately, however only through private
insurance or Medicare.
A resident must
meet certain requirements for the care to be covered by Medicare and facilities
must be certified to accept Medicare reimbursement.
The range of cost:
$5,000 to $9,000 per month.
Assisted Living / Residential Care
Assisted Living or
Residential Care facilities are licensed and provide 24 hour non-medical care
and supervision for individuals needing assistance with activities of daily
living (ADLs).
Ranging in the
size of a private home, these types of facilities have a capacity of over 100
beds. Larger assisted living facilities often have smaller apartments for
residents, but residents continue to have their meals in a group setting.
The most frequent
payment methods are private or Supplementary Security Income (SSI) for
low-income residents.
The range of cost:
$1800 - $6000 per month. Additional Note: Assisted living facilities typically
break out charges depending on the care needs of the resident. The Admissions
Contract usually gives this information ahead and must be thoroughly reviewed
before signing.
In
Choosing a Facility
There are times when urgencies for a bed
happen out of schedule or plan and there are no options left but to take the
first available bed. On the other hand, reservations are possible with some
facilities and getting placed on a waiting list is also sometimes offered.
In choosing a facility, consider the
following:
Location
Location is an
important factor especially when putting visitations of family members and
friends into consideration. Don’t forget, make sure the resident's physician
will come to the facility you are considering.
Staff Care / Nursing
Be sure to observe
the quality of relationships between the staff and other residents when making
visits. Most prefer to be in a friendly environment with pleasant staff and the
residents are treated with respect and dignity.
Costs
Remember that your
financial requirements need to be met by the facility you are considering.
Inquire about eligibility for Medicare and other private insurance or if there
are any available private insurance providers.
The cost of care
should be explained thoroughly with a detailed accounting of which services are
covered in the daily rate and which services are not.
You need to be
thorough with reading the contract. Clarify the reimbursement policy that would
be applied if an individual does not stay for the full length of the pre-paid
period.
Food Service
While you are
still in the process of making a decision, remember to try visiting the
facility during mealtime. It is an excellent way to learn about the food
service and you can also get an overall idea about the quality of the facility.
Find out if residents who need assistance with eating getting help and if special
dietary needs are met.
Activities and Special Services
Talk with the staff
in charge of activities and special services to have an in-depth discussion
about the nature of available activities in light of the needs of the residents.
Remember to also ask about provisions for transportation to medical/dental
appointments, outings, and shopping.
The process of choosing a long term care
facility can be full of challenges and must be done only after sufficient
information has been gathered as well as many comparisons with other
facilities.
Sources:
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