A discharge from the hospital is usually arranged pretty quickly, but you still have some control over the process. The hospital is required to give you a choice of options and to take your preference into consideration. The “driver” in your mom’s discharge is the Discharge Planner at the hospital (usually a Social Worker). Don’t be afraid to ask questions, but don’t try to “take the wheel” away from the discharge planner, as this might cause confusion. Much exchange will take place directly between the Discharge Planner and our Admission Counselor, and the two are probably used to working together.
But how do I choose?
You want to pick a place with a good reputation and known for great care. If you can take half a day off, nothing beats a quick visit before you make your decision. Check out how clean the place is, and how engaged the residents appear to be. Ask about private rooms and about therapy on weekends.
Does Medicare cover a nursing home stay?
If your mom has been in the hospital for three days or longer, there is a good chance that Medicare will cover some or all of her stay in the Health Care Center for a period which will not exceed 100 days. Medicare replacement plans function along the same principles, but with variations. Not every nursing home accepts every plan. In general, insurance covers short-term stays (following hospitalization) but not long-term care.
How can I be my mom’s best advocate?
Stay involved in your mom’s care… but trust us too: this is your first time in this situation, whereas we do this every day. After admission, you will probably have mixed feelings. It is possible that the first few days will be rough on you. Speak up and reach out to our social worker or our chaplain. Don’t abandon the rest of your family at home either: they also need you. We promise that after a few days you will be more comfortable with your decision. If your mom is with us for rehab we will involve you actively in the preparation for her discharge. If she is a long-term resident, we will enlist your assistance to design the most home-like environment and engaging programming for her.
For profit, nonprofit, does it matter?
All nursing centers are held to rigorous government regulations and undergo regular in-depth inspections (surveys). However, nursing homes within non-profit organizations – like Cross Keys Village and most other faith-based providers – tend to have an edge when it comes to quality, for two main reasons. Not having shareholders to report to allows us to dedicate more resources to our staffing and, therefore, to function at a higher staffing level. And because we are not seen as attractive financial investments, we don’t get bought or sold like for-profit properties. This usually results in a higher consistence in the quality of the care we provide, and in greater financial stability.