Frequently Asked Questions

We anticipate our families to have many questions and we do understand.
Here are some of these often-asked questions:

• Are you a Medicare/MediCaid certified skilled nursing facility or do you accept HMO patients?
Yes, we are a 112 bed Medicare/Medicaid fully certified skilled nursing facility and we welcome HMO patients.

• Does the Department of Health review this skilled nursing facility?
Yes. The Department of Health routinely evaluates us. These visits are always unannounced and every aspect of patient care is investigated. We have received superior evaluations because we maintain rigorous standards and expectations for our employees with regard to patient care.

• What can I expect from nursing?
We have registered nurses and licensed practical nurses on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Our nurses have to meet standards set by the State of Ohio’s Board of Registered Nurses for licensure. The charge nurses supervise a staff of certified assistants (CNA’s) who help patients with bathing, dressing, and meals.. Family members may also call the charge nurse at any time for a status report on a patient’s medical condition. We are here to assist with the family’s concerns as well as the patients.

• 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 or utilization manager. The amount of therapy received by a patient is dependent on how much progress the patient makes. All therapists need to document significant progress to keep a patient on caseload. Further information is available from our facility rehabilitation director and our building administrator.

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

• How much clothing should be provided for each patient?
We would like families to provide at least seven days of clothing including 2-3 warm sweaters, slippers, and a robe if possible. Clothing should be comfortable and easy to put on and take off. Please use a permanent marker to put the patient’s name on each article of clothing or ask our laundry department to label for you.

• What are the visiting hours?
24 hours a day. We understand that most of us work and have difficulty visiting during the daytime. We ask that families use their best judgement in regard to the length of stay per visit and the time of the visit.

• Is there a hairdresser available?
Yes. We have a hairdresser and a barber that will see both male and female residents by appointment. Please see our Director of Admissions or LSW to find out how to make an appointment for your family member (or friend).

• How often does the doctor see the resident?
Physicians are required to see patients shortly after admission. However, the charge nurse does contact the doctor at the time of admission for medication orders, dietary requirements, and other considerations. Doctors are required to make a monthly visit for long-term care patients but will come in if a patient is experiencing a change of condition in medical status.

• What if the patient needs a consultation for other services?
We contract with many ancillary service providers including
(but not limited to) the following:
Audiology
Psychiatry
Psychology
Dentistry
Orthotics & Prosthetics
Podiatry
X-ray services
Optometry
Opthamology
Dermatology
Wound Care Management

• Who do I contact regarding insurance and billing questions?
Our business office manager should be able to help you with most of your questions and concerns. If you have a HMO, you can discuss any concerns with the case manager assigned to the patients.

• 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 patient’s dietary requirements, weight gain and/or loss, etc.. In addition, our speech therapist is available to discuss special concerns due to a patient’s inability to swallow safely. We ask families to contact the charge nurse if they wish to bring in food from home unless the charge nurse has indicated that it is all right to do so.

• Who will make transportation arrangements for patients who have appointments outside of the facility?
Social Services makes all transportation arrangements.

• What types of activities do you provide?
We post a monthly calendar, which shows each day’s schedule of activities for our residents. These activities include (but are not limited to) the following: Bingo, Music, Arts & Crafts, Outings, Cooking classes, Adult Education, Movies, Petting Zoo, Speakers, Physical Fitness, The Daily News.
Church Services; Catholic Services, Christian Services

• May I take a patient out of the facility?
Yes, but only if there is a written physician’s order. Part A Medicare patients are the exception. Medicare feels that if a patient needs skilled Part A coverage, that he/she is to ill to leave the building with the exception of doctor’s visits or tests scheduled at an acute care skilled nursing facility. Other patients need to be signed out by the responsible party at the nurse’s station.

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