How many days is therapy?
All therapies require a physician's order. In the case of an HMO, therapy must also have authorization for treatment from the HMO's case manager. We work diligently with all private insurance case managers to achieve the highest quality of care available. The amount of therapy depends on the individual and his/her progress. All therapists document the progress of each resident and create individual treatment plans based on their progress. Further information is available from our Facility Rehabilitation Director, our Facility Administrator and our Director of Nursing.

Who does the patient's laundry?
Our facility offers full laundry services or a family may elect to do a patients laundry at home.

How much clothing should be provided tor each person?
We encourage our families to provide at least seven days of clothing including 2-3 warm sweaters, non-skid slippers, and a robe if possible. Residents are encouraged to be dressed in their regular clothing dally. Our laundry department labels each clothing item with iron-on labels. Clothing should be easy to put on and take off.

What are the visiting hours?
We are open 24 hours a day, If families choose to stay past our main entrance closing, we simply ask them to notify the charge nurse at their nursing station. We ask that families use their best judgment in regard to the length of stay per visits and the time of the visit,

How often does the doctor see the resident?
Physicians are required to see residents shortly after admissions. However, the charge nurse does contact the doctor at the time of admission for all medication orders, dietary requirements, and other considerations. Doctors are informed of any ongoing changes in a resident condition by the ongoing assessment of a charged nurse. Federal regulations state that a physician must see a nursing home resident at least once every 30 days for the first 90 days, then at least once every 60 days thereafter. Physicians are contacted and orders obtained as necessary for the status and stability of each resident on an ongoing basis. The Medical Director is also on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in case immediate physician assistance is required, or a resident's own physician is unavailable.

What if the resident needs a consultation appointment or other service?
We contract with many ancillary service providers including (but not limited to) the following; Audiology, Psychiatry, Psychology, Dentistry, Dermatology, Orthotics & Prosthetics, Ophthalmology, Optometry, Physiartry, Podiatry, Rheumatology, X-Ray services and more.

Who do I see if I have dietary concerns?
We have a dietary supervisor that is available to discuss patient preferences and needs with the patient and/or family, We also have a registered dietician that monitors each resident's dietary requirements, weight gain and/or loss, etc. In addition, our speech therapists are available to discuss special concerns regarding swallowing strategies and safety techniques, Our Interdisciplinary Team meets weekly to discuss new residents' weight, as well as any other resident who might be at risk for weight loss. Our IDT meets monthly to discuss residents whose weight is stable, to monitor long-term stability,

How is transportation to appointments outside Downey Care Center made?
Our facility's social services schedules all appointments and makes the necessary transportation arrangements.

What types of activities do you provide?
We post monthly calendar on each nursing unit as well as giving each resident a complete schedule of monthly events for easy reference. Some of our unique events include: Poetry, Coffee Chat, Theme Family Dining events, Range of Motion classes, Facility Outings, Bingo games and many more events. Our Activities programming is personalized to accommodate the needs of those residents who are cognitively impaired or bed or room bound. These residents are assured that their emotional, physical, mental, social and spiritual needs are met on an ongoing basis even if they are unable to, or choose not to, attend activities.

May I take a resident out of the facility?
Yes, but only if there is a written physician's order. Part A Medicare patient are allowed only therapeutic passes for limited time unless the patient is going to a scheduled doctor's visit or test. All residents or the responsible party are required to "sign out" with the charge nurse at the nursing station prior to leaving the facility.

May we bring family pets in to visit?
This is usually not a problem but please check with the charge nurse first.

How can I contact you?
You can contact Downey Care Center at any time by calling or by e-mail to our Executive Director, Joline Huren at jhone@covenantcare.com, our Director of Nursing, Ofelia Rodil at orodil@covenantcare.com, or our Admissions Coordinator, Rosa Rivas at rrivas@covenantcare.com. Downey Care Center's phone number is (562) 923-9301.

What does Downey Care Center require prior to an admission?
We need the resident's history and physical (and discharge summary from the last hospital admitted to if coming from a hospital), including a current medication list from a physician. Every resident will have his or her own treating physician. The Admission Coordinator can help with this assignment upon request.

What do we need to bring or do the day of admission?
  1. All insurance cards (primary and secondary). This includes the patient's    Medicare card.
  2. Any long term care insurance policies or cards.
  3. Treating physician information.
  4. All advanced directives, living will or durable power of attorney for health care    or financial.

What makes a resident eligible for Medicare Part A in a skilled nursing facility?
  1. Residents must have a Medicare card that reads "Hospital Insurance".
  2. The physician must certify that the resident needs skilled care on a continuing     basis.
  3. A minimum of three consecutive midnights (not counting day of discharge)    must be spent in a hospital no longer than 30 days prior to entering the
   skilled nursing facility.

What is the Medicare coverage if the qualifying criteria are met?
1-20 days, the resident pays nothing and Medicare pays 100% for a semi- private room. 21-100 days, the resident is responsible for the daily co-insurance rate as determined by Medicare. Many supplemental health insurances will cover this co-insurance. 100+ days, Medicare no longer pays.

Does Medicare pay me directly?
No. Medicare pays the provider of the medical services because it is the responsibility of the provider to bill Medicare for their services.
We are happy to address any further questions that you may have in person
or by mail. We are always interested in your opinion.