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Learn how to get your senior loved one the care they need
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Realizing that you might need to get someone you love admitted to a nursing home can be overwhelming. However, understanding nursing home application and admission can help you break the process into smaller steps and make informed decisions about your loved one’s care. First, check your local nursing home admission requirements and consider how you or your loved one will pay for nursing home care. Keep reading to learn more.
Things You Should Know
- To qualify for entry to a nursing home, a senior has to require extensive care. Have a doctor assess your loved one’s healthcare needs.
- To cover costs, check if your loved one qualifies for government programs like Medicaid, Medicare, veteran’s benefits, or Social Security.
- Give required documents to the nursing home, including the physician’s order for admission, your loved one’s medical history, and any health care tests.
Steps
Section 3 of 4:
Selecting a Nursing Home Facility
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Make a list of the nursing homes your loved one qualifies for. To find nursing homes in your area, ask people you trust, contact your local senior and community activity center, or use the online Eldercare Locator . [16] X Research source
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Visit nursing homes and ask the staff questions about the care there. Call and book an appointment ahead of time. If possible, take your loved one along so they can get a feel for the nursing home. [18] X Research source
- During your visit, don’t be afraid to ask questions and ask the staff to explain anything that you don’t understand. [19] X Research source
- Some questions to consider include:
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- How does this home help your loved one participate in social, religious, or cultural activities that are important to them?
- Is transportation provided to community activities?
- What kind of private spaces does the nursing home offer when your loved one has visitors?
- Who are the doctors that will care for them? Does the nursing home make sure residents get preventative care to help keep them healthy?
- Will the same nursing staff take care of your loved one day-to-day, or do they change?
- How many residents is a Certified Nursing Assistant assigned to work with during each shift and during meals?
- What type of therapy is available?
- What type of meals does the nursing home serve?
- Does the nursing home have a screening program for vaccinations, like flu and pneumonia?
- Does the nursing home offer care for people with dementia? If so, kind?
- Observe how the staff treats their patients, and if possible, ask a resident how they are treated and if they recommend the nursing home to other seniors.
- Consider the feelings of your loved one and let them give input on their care. Even if you disagree, listening to their opinions can help make them feel independent and heard.
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Provide the nursing home with all the necessary paperwork. Although the admission process can feel overwhelming, take a deep breath and use this list of required documents to help you prepare. [21] X Research source
- These items, completed by hospital staff or your loved one’s primary care doctor:
- Physician's order for admission to a nursing home. This is a confirmation that your loved one needs a long-term skilled level of care.
- Physician’s order for medications and treatment.
- Medical history and physical examination results. This is so new attending doctors and nurses can have up-to-date medical information about your loved one.
- State-required form. You can get this form from the nursing home. The form varies state-by-state and certifies that your loved one meets nursing home admission requirements.
- Negative tuberculosis (TB) test or X-ray. Nursing homes are required to offer flu shots, pneumonia vaccines, and TB tests within 3 days of admission.
- Completed admissions paperwork.
Paperwork provided by the nursing home can usually be signed before or on the day of admission. Although the process varies, paperwork usually includes:
- Agreements to nursing home policies, responsibilities, legal, certificates, cost, and provided care.
- Your loved one’s consent to be treated by the nursing home.
- Proof of Insurance or Payment: Depending on your payment plan, you may need to bring your loved one’s Social Security card, Medicare or Medicaid documents, or insurance cards.
- Nursing home staff might also ask for:
- Power of Attorney (POA) papers.
- Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) paperwork.
- End-of-life care wishes.
- Dietary requirements.
- Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (MOLST).
- Your loved one’s living will.
- After you’re approved, the nursing home will place your loved one on a waitlist. When a spot opens up, they’ll provide you with information about your loved one’s move-in date.
- These items, completed by hospital staff or your loved one’s primary care doctor:
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References
- ↑ https://www.hhs.texas.gov/services/aging/long-term-care
- ↑ https://www.cms.gov/regulations-and-guidance/legislation/cfcsandcops/downloads/som107ap_pp_guidelines_ltcfpdf
- ↑ https://www.medicaidplanningassistance.org/nursing-home-level-of-care/
- ↑ https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/long-term-services-supports/institutional-long-term-care/nursing-facilities/index.html
- ↑ https://www.va.gov/pension/
- ↑ https://www.va.gov/pension/survivors-pension/
- ↑ https://www.usa.gov/military-pensions
- ↑ https://www.va.gov/pension/aid-attendance-housebound/
- ↑ https://www.va.gov/pension/aid-attendance-housebound/
- ↑ https://www.va.gov/health-care/about-va-health-benefits/long-term-care/
- ↑ https://www.cbpp.org/research/social-security/top-ten-facts-about-social-security
- ↑ https://www.ssa.gov/cgi-bin/currentpay.cgi
- ↑ https://www.ssa.gov/ssi
- ↑ https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/long-term-care/paying-long-term-care
- ↑ https://acl.gov/ltc/costs-and-who-pays/costs-of-care
- ↑ https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare/en/assets/resources/nursing-home/02174-nursing-home-other-long-term-services.pdf
- ↑ https://eldercare.acl.gov/Public/Index.aspx
- ↑ https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare/en/assets/resources/nursing-home/02174-nursing-home-other-long-term-services.pdf
- ↑ https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare/en/assets/resources/nursing-home/02174-nursing-home-other-long-term-services.pdf
- ↑ https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare/en/assets/resources/nursing-home/02174-nursing-home-other-long-term-services.pdf
- ↑ https://www.benedictineliving.org/blog/how-does-a-nursing-home-admissions-process-work/
- ↑ https://eldercare.acl.gov/Public/About/Aging_Network/AAA.aspx
- ↑ https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title22/agency40/chapter73/section360/
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