Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the Most Common Senior Care Questions
How Can We Help?
We are always happy to attend to your specific needs and questions. Many people, when shopping for a skilled nursing or housing with services community, often have common questions.
When you are considering care and service options, pricing is undoubtedly an important part of your decision. A lot of people ask upfront, “How much will this cost?”
We can provide accurate cost information for our services only by getting to know you and your specific situation and needs. So many factors affect pricing, including the level of care needed and eligibility for payment sources such as Medicaid and health insurance.
Health Insurance Policy – Your individual health insurance policy may cover skilled nursing care. You should contact your health insurance provider to determine what your policy covers. If none of the options listed are available to you, it would be a private pay arrangement. You can discuss your options with your skilled healthcare centers’ Social Worker.
Long-Term Care Insurance – If you purchased a long-term care (LTC) insurance policy, some of the charges in a skilled nursing center may be covered. The amount of coverage is determined by each individual policy. Typical LTC insurance policies cover a certain amount per day in a skilled nursing center. Any remaining amount would be due privately or you may still qualify for Medicaid.
Medicare – Medicare is a health insurance program administered by the federal government. It serves individuals who are: 65 years or older, under 65 with certain disabilities, any age with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant. Medicare has two main parts that may cover some of your charges in a skilled nursing center: Medicare Part A and Part B.
Self-Pay/Private Pay – Self-pay/private pay refers to using your own resources to pay for all or part of the care you receive. When you move in, you will be given a listing of daily rates that will correspond with your assigned case mix level of care. This rate will depend on the type of care you will need. Scheduled assessments make certain you are receiving the appropriate care.
Veterans Affairs (VA) – Veterans and/or their spouse may be entitled to benefits specific to a stay in a skilled healthcare center. The VA, as well as other government programs, has funding specifically intended to assist in the care of aging veterans. Veterans who served in active military duty may receive certain VA healthcare benefits, including coverage of all or some of the costs associated with skilled healthcare centers. The government and VA have established contracts with many local and independently operated skilled healthcare centers. Eligibility requirements vary; however, this option often applies to veterans whose quality of care is dependent on staying close to their home and family.
Medicaid – Medicaid usually pays for the largest portion of long-term care expenses, but it also has very strict eligibility requirements. Your loved one will have to meet requirements regarding income levels and the level of assistance they need with ADL before they qualify for this type of benefit.
Elderly Waiver – The Elderly Waiver (EW) program provides home and community-based services for people who need the level of care provided in a nursing home but who choose to live in the community. You must qualify for Medical Assistance to be eligible for Elderly Waiver services.
More details are in the following brochures:
Elderly Waiver program (PDF)
Elderly Waiver services in assisted living: What you need to know (PDF)
When a person makes their home in one of our skilled healthcare communities, we provide nursing care, nourishing and appetizing meals, an adjustable single bed and bedside stand, closet or wardrobe. Personal care items supplied are Kleenex, toothpaste, toothbrush, lotion, shampoo, soap and denture cream.
Residents like to dress in their favorite comfortable clothes. We ask that you bring enough clothing for seven days of changes. Also bring comfortable, non-skid soled shoes. Many are comfortable in tennis shoes. We also ask that residents provide their own electric razor. You are welcome to bring your own walker or wheelchair, but we can provide those for your stay. It’s always a good idea to make the residents room cozy and familiar with personal items such as photographs, artwork, clocks and knick-knacks. Do not bring your medications in with you, as we cannot use them.
If a resident chooses to bring a favorite chair, we can approve or recommend what is best to bring with you. For safety reasons, our maintenance department must check all types of furniture, radios, and other appliances, including extra outlet plugs.