The Most Important Questions to Ask When Touring an Assisted Living Facility

Jul 11, 2018

THE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN TOURING AN ASSISTED-LIVING FACILITY

July 11, 2018

If you or a loved one are no longer able to live alone, you might want to consider an assisted-living facility, where you’ll have access to a wide range of services, including meals, transportation, medical care and social activities. But keep in mind that since all assisted-living facilities aren’t the same, it’s a good idea to take a tour of several of them before you make a decision. While you are visiting, here are some topics you should ask about.

1. Quality of Care

How you or your loved one will be treated is the top priority, so find out if the facility is licensed and certified by the state, and also how it ensures the quality of care it offers its residents. It’s important to know how process for filing a complaint in the event of an issue, as well as how complaints are dealt with. Does each patient have a primary point of contact that the family works with? Perhaps most importantly, find out how health emergencies are handled and the emergency hospital they use.

2. The Monthly Charges

Assisted living costs vary widely. In addition to the monthly rent amount, find out if and when that charge be increased and by how much. Does the rent go up if the resident’s level of care changes? What are the charges if both you and your spouse live there and the two of you require different levels of care? And, if costs do increase, does the facility offer financial help for those who might no longer be able to pay? It’s important to know if apartments are available immediately, what kinds of apartments are available and, if not, how long the wait list currently is for the exact type you want.

3. What’s Included

The little things add up, so inquire about if you have to pay extra for services such as special diets; utilities; cable and internet; laundry; housekeeping; and transportation to doctor’s appointments, church services or shopping. Are services offered as a bundled price per month or a la carte? If they are bundled, what do the bundles include? Be aware that not all facilities provide the same options for the same price.

4. Medical Care

Again, medical care and options vary widely. Make sure to ask if you are permitted to choose your own doctor, therapist or pharmacy. Who would be responsible for giving you your medications? Are dental care and eye care included in your monthly fee, and are they provided on-site? Who decides if a resident needs a higher level of care or must be transferred to a different facility? Make sure to check into the professional qualifications of the staff, and ask if staff members are qualified to handle medical emergencies.

5. Meals

Find out if they offer flexible meal options or if everyone eats the same food. Does the facility have an experienced chef and staff that will be able to serve residents three healthy meals a day? Do the residents eat together in a dining hall, or can they eat in their room? Does it cost extra to have meals delivered to their room? Ask for a copy of the meal schedule and perhaps come back during a meal time to see firsthand how it’s handled.

6. Safety

Does the building have a security system? Are residents permitted to leave the building on their own, and how do staff members keep up with their whereabouts? Is there an emergency plan in case of fire? Is there a plan to evacuate residents if the building is in the path of a hurricane or other natural disaster?

7. Recreational Activities

Ask if the facility has a recreation director whose job is to provide activities for the residents. Are excursions planned so residents can go shopping, to church or to the movies? Review the facility’s current activity schedule to get an idea of what’s offered and whether or not it fits your needs.

Make sure all these questions are answered to your satisfaction. Otherwise, it will increase the stress and uncertainty surrounding moving yourself or your loved one into an assisted-living facility.

Do you need more information about how to choose the assisted-living facility that’s right for you? Check with Nye Health Services, which offers independent living and assisted living at 5 locations in Fremont, Lincoln, Norfolk, S Sioux City, Nebraska and Jackson, Wyoming. Live an independent and active life with the comfort of knowing support is available. The assistance you need, when you need it, is here with 24-hour access to a top-notch nursing team. For more information, visit Nye Health Services online or call (402) 753-1400.

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5 Things You Should Know About Short Stay Rehabilitation

Jun 11, 2018

5 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT SHORT STAY REHABILITATION

June 11, 2018

Short stay rehabilitation serves as a vital link between a stay in the hospital and a patient’s return to his or her place of residence. Services customized for each individual and provided by a team of skilled and compassionate health care professionals help people recover as quickly as possible from surgery, illness or accident.

Whether patients require physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, nutritional counseling, post-surgical care, specialized wound care or other services, short stay rehabilitation will help them transition from the hospital to home. It serves as an important stop on the road to recovery, regardless of why hospital care was required to begin with.

Here are five factors to consider before you decide if short stay rehabilitation is a viable option for you or your loved one:

1. Don’t Be Stuck Without a Plan

Most people don’t expect to have to spend time in the hospital, and they have no idea that they might require an interim stop between the hospital and their home. It’s a good idea to do some research, plan ahead and choose a reliable and reputable rehab facility just in case you or a loved one needs short stay rehabilitation.

2. Make an Informed Decision

Find out about which facilities near your home specialize in specific rehabilitation services. You can do your research on the internet, or you can even visit one or more local rehab centers. Among other things, find out if skilled nursing care is available 24/7 and whether licensed physical, occupational and speech therapists are part of the health care team.

3. An Individualized Plan

No two situations are alike. Make sure the rehabilitation facility you choose offers a plan customized for you or your loved one. A person recovering from hip, knee or shoulder replacement has different needs than someone who spent time in the hospital following a heart attack or stroke. By the same token, if you were in the hospital suffering from pneumonia, your rehabilitation requirements are different than those of someone who had gastrointestinal surgery.

4. Some Factors to Consider

Rehabilitation centers aren’t all the same. Check to make sure facilities you are considering are licensed by the state and certified by the Medicare program and whether they accept your private insurance. Does the center provide Wi-Fi, televisions and top-of-the-line food service? Is there a full-time medical director? Are the members of the medical team trained and credentialed to provide the services you or your loved one requires? And, finally, is the center clean and modern, with the most up-to-date equipment? When you walk through the front door, does it look like a place you wouldn’t mind calling home for a few days, or even a couple of weeks?

5. Medicare Coverage

Many patients that require short stay rehabilitation are over the age of 65 and are insured by the federal Medicare program. Generally speaking, Part A – which covers hospital care – also will reimburse you for at least part of your stay in a rehabilitation facility. Make sure to choose a facility that offers Medicare-certified services that also has a dedicated staff member who is able to clearly explain the costs that will and won’t be covered by your insurance.

If you or a loved one is interested or in need of short stay rehabilitation services, consider a Nye Health Services campus. Campuses are conveniently located in Fremont, Lincoln and South Sioux City, Nebraska. Get better, stronger and back home faster through state-of-the-art rehabilitation and Medicare-certified services that fit your needs. Nye Health Services campuses offers various levels of care and service, specializing in physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy. For more information, please contact Nye Health Services at 402-753-1400.