WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT NURSING HOMES
Christiane Tourtet B.A.
September 01, 2008
When people who donīt need to be in a hospital can no longer be cared for at home, then a nursing home may be the answer. The majority of nursing homes have skilled nurses and nursing aides, 24-hours a day, and sometimes, a nursing home, might truly be the best choice for people who need medical and personal care.
Nursing home can be:
Household-like: These types of facilities are designed to be more like homes and there is no fixed day-to-day routine. Quite often kitchen are open to residents, decorations give a feeling of home, staff and teams are encouraged to develop relationships with residents, and to create a feeling of neighborhood.
Hospital like: This type of nursing home is quite often set up like a hospital. Staff gives physical, speech, occupational therapy, and medical care. On each floor, there can be a nurses station. Usually one or two people live in a room. Many nursing homes will allow couples to live together, and welcome things that make a room special, such as family photos.
Some nursing homes have doctors that visit their patients on site. Some other nursing homes have patients visit the doctorīs office. When people suffer from severe memory problems (dementia) nursing homes sometimes have separate areas called special Care Units. It is important for families, when looking for a nursing home, to think about these special needs.
There are also some other things to keep in mind, such as:
What choices do you have in your area? Is there a place that is close to family and friends? What is the important thing to consider? Meals, nursing care, hospital care, religious connection, special care units for dementia care?
Ask doctors which nursing homes they feel would provide good care. Talk with social workers, religious groups, relatives, friends, to determine what places they suggest.
Make a list of nursing homes and get in touch with each place. Ask questions about the number of people living there, the costs, and about the waiting list.
Try to meet the director and the nursing director. When visiting the home, some things should be looked for, such as :
Medicare and Medicaid certification
Many food choices
Enough staff in regard to the number of patients
Handicap access
Residents look well cared for
Strong odors , either good or bad
Do not be afraid to ask questions such as:
How long the director, including the department heads of nursing, social services, and food, have worked at the nursing home? If there is a frequent change of staff, this could mean that there is a problem.
Make a second visit, without calling this time, trying another day of the week or time, in order to meet other staff members and see other activities. At mealtime, observe if people seem to enjoy the food.
Once you decide to choose a nursing home, very carefully read the contract, and check with your State Ombudsman to help you understand the contract.
Nursing homes have to meet standards. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) request each state to inspect any nursing home that gets money from the government. The nursing homes that do not pass the inspection are not certified.
Ask to see the current inspection report and certification of the nursing homes you are considering. For more information visit:
http://www.medicare.gov
There are several ways to pay for nursing home care:
Medicaid: This is a State Program for people who have low income. Each state decides who qualifies. It is important to contact your State government to find out if you qualify. Be aware that it can take 3 or more months to be approved for Medicaid.
Private pay: some people pay with their own savings, for long-term care for as long as they possibly can. When it is no longer possible, then, they may get help from Medicaid .In that instance, make sure that the nursing home accepts it, as not all nursing homes do.
Long term insurance: Some people buy private long-term insurance, which can pay part of the cost for a nursing home or other long-term care. Many different companies sell this type of insurance and benefits can vary widely. It is a good idea to look carefully at several policies before deciding on buying private long-term insurance.
A large number of people, wrongly believe that Medicare will pay for long stays
in a nursing home, but the harsh reality of it, is that it does not. It is quite important
to check with Medicare and private "Medicap" (Medicare add-on insurance) to find out what are the current rules. For instance, Medicare may only pay for the first 100 days in a skilled nursing home for people who need special care after leaving the hospital. In regard to costs, keep in mind, that there can be extra out-of-pocket charges for some supplies, such as laundry, hair appointment, and services outside routine care.
Rules about benefits and programs for nursing homes can change, and Medicare has some helpful resources online. For information about different care options, visit:
http://www.medicare.gov
In order to find nursing homes in your areas that are approved by CMS, visit the Medicare website. You can also read the summaries of recent inspection reports.Visit: Nursing Home Compare at:
http://www.medicare.gov/NHCompare
The Nursing Home Checklist at the same website is quite a good guide to use when thinking about nursing homes. Many States offer State Health Insurance Counseling and Assistance Programs (SHIPS) that can help you choose the health insurance for you and your family. Visit:
http://www.medicare.gov/Nursing/Payment.asp
It is very important to know, that each State has a Long-Term Care Ombudsman office that helps people to learn about long-term care. Your local office may be able to help answering general questions about a specific nursing home, and once you are living in a nursing home, the Ombudsman can possibly help solve problems you may have with a facility. You can get more information by visiting the National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center at:
http://www.ltcombudsman.org
Veterans who need long-term care might be able to get assistance though the Department of Veterans Affairs programs. Visit:
http://www.va.gov
or you can call VA Health Care Benefits toll-free at:
1- 877-222-8387
You can also contact a VA medical center near you.
For more information, here are some helpful Federal and non-Federal resources:
American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging
http://www.aahsa.org
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
http://www.medicare.gov
AARP
http://www.aarp.org
National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center
http://www.ltcombudsman.org
FirstGov for Seniors
http://www.seniors.gov
National Citizensī Coalition for Nursing Home Reform
http://www.nccnhr.org
Alzheimerīs Disease Education and Referral Center (ADEAR)
http://www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers
Resource:
National Institute on Aging
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Public Health Service
National Institutes of Health
© 2008 Christiane Tourtet, all rights reserved.
Nursing home can be:
Household-like: These types of facilities are designed to be more like homes and there is no fixed day-to-day routine. Quite often kitchen are open to residents, decorations give a feeling of home, staff and teams are encouraged to develop relationships with residents, and to create a feeling of neighborhood.
Hospital like: This type of nursing home is quite often set up like a hospital. Staff gives physical, speech, occupational therapy, and medical care. On each floor, there can be a nurses station. Usually one or two people live in a room. Many nursing homes will allow couples to live together, and welcome things that make a room special, such as family photos.
Some nursing homes have doctors that visit their patients on site. Some other nursing homes have patients visit the doctorīs office. When people suffer from severe memory problems (dementia) nursing homes sometimes have separate areas called special Care Units. It is important for families, when looking for a nursing home, to think about these special needs.
There are also some other things to keep in mind, such as:
What choices do you have in your area? Is there a place that is close to family and friends? What is the important thing to consider? Meals, nursing care, hospital care, religious connection, special care units for dementia care?
Ask doctors which nursing homes they feel would provide good care. Talk with social workers, religious groups, relatives, friends, to determine what places they suggest.
Make a list of nursing homes and get in touch with each place. Ask questions about the number of people living there, the costs, and about the waiting list.
Try to meet the director and the nursing director. When visiting the home, some things should be looked for, such as :
Medicare and Medicaid certification
Many food choices
Enough staff in regard to the number of patients
Handicap access
Residents look well cared for
Strong odors , either good or bad
Do not be afraid to ask questions such as:
How long the director, including the department heads of nursing, social services, and food, have worked at the nursing home? If there is a frequent change of staff, this could mean that there is a problem.
Make a second visit, without calling this time, trying another day of the week or time, in order to meet other staff members and see other activities. At mealtime, observe if people seem to enjoy the food.
Once you decide to choose a nursing home, very carefully read the contract, and check with your State Ombudsman to help you understand the contract.
Nursing homes have to meet standards. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) request each state to inspect any nursing home that gets money from the government. The nursing homes that do not pass the inspection are not certified.
Ask to see the current inspection report and certification of the nursing homes you are considering. For more information visit:
http://www.medicare.gov
There are several ways to pay for nursing home care:
Medicaid: This is a State Program for people who have low income. Each state decides who qualifies. It is important to contact your State government to find out if you qualify. Be aware that it can take 3 or more months to be approved for Medicaid.
Private pay: some people pay with their own savings, for long-term care for as long as they possibly can. When it is no longer possible, then, they may get help from Medicaid .In that instance, make sure that the nursing home accepts it, as not all nursing homes do.
Long term insurance: Some people buy private long-term insurance, which can pay part of the cost for a nursing home or other long-term care. Many different companies sell this type of insurance and benefits can vary widely. It is a good idea to look carefully at several policies before deciding on buying private long-term insurance.
A large number of people, wrongly believe that Medicare will pay for long stays
in a nursing home, but the harsh reality of it, is that it does not. It is quite important
to check with Medicare and private "Medicap" (Medicare add-on insurance) to find out what are the current rules. For instance, Medicare may only pay for the first 100 days in a skilled nursing home for people who need special care after leaving the hospital. In regard to costs, keep in mind, that there can be extra out-of-pocket charges for some supplies, such as laundry, hair appointment, and services outside routine care.
Rules about benefits and programs for nursing homes can change, and Medicare has some helpful resources online. For information about different care options, visit:
http://www.medicare.gov
In order to find nursing homes in your areas that are approved by CMS, visit the Medicare website. You can also read the summaries of recent inspection reports.Visit: Nursing Home Compare at:
http://www.medicare.gov/NHCompare
The Nursing Home Checklist at the same website is quite a good guide to use when thinking about nursing homes. Many States offer State Health Insurance Counseling and Assistance Programs (SHIPS) that can help you choose the health insurance for you and your family. Visit:
http://www.medicare.gov/Nursing/Payment.asp
It is very important to know, that each State has a Long-Term Care Ombudsman office that helps people to learn about long-term care. Your local office may be able to help answering general questions about a specific nursing home, and once you are living in a nursing home, the Ombudsman can possibly help solve problems you may have with a facility. You can get more information by visiting the National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center at:
http://www.ltcombudsman.org
Veterans who need long-term care might be able to get assistance though the Department of Veterans Affairs programs. Visit:
http://www.va.gov
or you can call VA Health Care Benefits toll-free at:
1- 877-222-8387
You can also contact a VA medical center near you.
For more information, here are some helpful Federal and non-Federal resources:
American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging
http://www.aahsa.org
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
http://www.medicare.gov
AARP
http://www.aarp.org
National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center
http://www.ltcombudsman.org
FirstGov for Seniors
http://www.seniors.gov
National Citizensī Coalition for Nursing Home Reform
http://www.nccnhr.org
Alzheimerīs Disease Education and Referral Center (ADEAR)
http://www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers
Resource:
National Institute on Aging
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Public Health Service
National Institutes of Health
© 2008 Christiane Tourtet, all rights reserved.