Let Us Help You Get The Answers You Need. Frequently Asked Questions About Our Oklahoma Long Term Care, Skilled Nursing, & Rehabilitation.
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What is a skilled nursing facility?
- Generally speaking, a skilled nursing facility is a clinical care provider of 24-hour licensed nursing. A “SNF”, as they are often referred to, is primarily engaged in providing services for residents who require medical or nursing care and/or therapy services for the rehabilitation of injured, disabled, or sick persons. Care typically includes: rehabilitation, intravenous therapy, post-surgical stabilization, pulmonary management, and wound care. Additionally, facilities provide assistance with administration of medications, and aid in a variety of daily living needs, including dressing, bathing, walking and eating.
How do I know if I qualify for Medicare or Medicaid?
- Medicare is a federal health insurance program. It typically covers some expenses related to a stay in a skilled nursing facility, but only after an inpatient hospital stay covering a period of “three midnights” and only for a related illness or injury. Generally, you may be eligible for Medicare if you or your spouse has paid into Social Security for at least 10 years.Additionally, you must be:
- Age 65 or older and receiving social security retirement benefits,
- Under age 65 with certain disabilities and have received social security disability benefits for 24 months,
- Or be any age but diagnosed with End-Stage Renal Disease
Talk to a social worker at your hospital or visit www.medicare.gov for more information on eligibility requirements and to find out what services Medicare covers for skilled nursing facility stays. Medicaid is a federally-supported, state-operated health care assistance program that pays for health care services.
Who is eligible?
- Certain individuals or families with substantially low incomes, who may have no medical insurance or inadequate medical insurance.
- Generally, eligibility is based on extreme financial need and medical necessity.
Speak to a social worker at the hospital or visit www.cms.hhs.gov/medicaid/eligibility to learn more about eligibility and the criteria specific to each. Because each state operates its own Medicaid program, eligibility requirements and coverage may vary from state to state.
Also, to find Medicare and Medicaid-certified skilled nursing facilities, go to www.medicare.gov/nhcompare.
What should I bring with me to the facility?
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- First and foremost, bring all insurance and/or Medicare/Medicaid cards.
- Provide any and all insurance coverage cards to the admissions representative at the facility.
- Also, make sure to have drivers license and social security cards with you as they may be needed to complete the admission process.
Also, bring items that will make your stay more restful and easier on you, such as:
- Comfortable clothing, with your name clearly written on the label. Bring enough clothing for at least 7-10 days.
- A pair of non-skid, supportive shoes and socks
- Pajamas/robe
- Toothbrush/toothpaste, denture cups
- Comb, brush, personal lotions, deodorant and other essential toiletries
- Hearing aide, eyeglasses and eyeglass case
- Reading materials, family photos
- Radio
How do I know when I, or a loved one, is ready to move into a nursing home?
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- Look for some of the following signs to guide you as to whether you or a loved one needs help:
- Requiring daily assistance with eating, dressing, bathing or using the toilet.
- Forgetting to take medications or perhaps taking too many
- Behaving in ways that could be harmful (to yourself or to others)
- Wandering away from home or frequent signs of memory loss
If you find you or a family member need help, here are some options, one of which may suit your specific situation:
- Find the right skilled nursing facility if you or a loved one has suffered an illness or injury and requires rehabilitation and continuous medical care, whether for the short or long-term. And, keep in mind that unfortunately there may be certain medical conditions that cause continued decline, regardless of the clinical solutions available.
- Move into an assisted living community which offers assistance in the areas of housekeeping services, provision of meals and personal care.
- Continue to live at home after recovering from an injury or illness, but bring in additional assistance such as home care professionals and/or utilize community services (Meals on Wheels, for instance).
What is Private Pay?
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- Paying for Independent / Assisted Living “out of pocket” is often referred to as “Private Pay”. Essentially, this means that the resident will pay directly for all care and services.
What can I expect once I'm admitted to your facilities?
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- Our Team of professionals meet with new residents and their families to assess current healthcare needs and create a Personalized Service Plan. This plan may include resident or family concerns, as well as recommended assistance with daily activities or personal care services, all coordinated by our 24-hour on-site licensed nursing staff.We encourage open communication and teamwork between our residents, their families, physicians and staff to create the ultimate healthcare environment, now and over time.
What are different levels of long term and nursing care?
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- Skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers are for those recovering from illness, injury or surgery. Many patients need additional medical and rehabilitative therapies before successfully transitioning from hospital to home. In addition, some residents choose to make a skilled nursing center their permanent home. In this case, it usually means residents need medical supervision and support that can no longer be provided at home safely.Many times patients transitioning home from a hospital or skilled nursing center still need some medical and rehabilitative support at home. Home care can provide this assistance along with medication management, education about a newly diagnosed disease, lifestyle changes and IV care. Assisted living centers are designed for those who still want to retain their independence but need some assistance with taking medications, bathing, dressing or meal preparation. Programming is focused on maintaining skills and retaining quality of life. Hospice care is available for patients diagnosed with a life-limiting illness. Hospice can provide the physical, emotional and spiritual support to patients and their families to help work through this challenging time.
