Nursing Home Frequently Asked Questions

How do I begin to find a Nursing Home?

How do I locate facilities?

I have a list of facilities, now how do I choose?

How do I file a Long Term Care claim?

Q. How do I begin to find a Nursing Home?

A. Start by asking questions...

• Talk to your doctor and ask for recommendations. You want to be sure that you will have access to a doctor that you and your family are comfortable with.
  
  
• If the patient is currently hospitalized, the hospital most likely has a social worker who can help you locate facilities in your area.
  
  
• Talk to friends who may have family members in a Nursing Home.

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Q. How do I locate facilities?

A. Decide on an area that is within easy traveling distance for family members who would want to visit regularly, and make a list of facilities in that area.

• Proximity to a hospital and your doctor's office is also a plus. There are numerous web sites where you can search for Nursing Homes by geographic location. Some charge a fee for this service. Medicare and many state government agencies have web sites that provide this service free of charge.
  
  
• Medicare has a database that can be searched by state, county, city, zip code, and name. http://www.medicare.gov/NHCompare/home.asp
  
  
• The U.S. Administration on Aging has a database where you can search by state and zip code for local agencies and organizations that regulate nursing homes and can assist in locating facilities. http://www.eldercare.gov
  
  
• Be sure that any Nursing Home you are considering is Medicare certified and licensed by the state. Be sure that certificates and licenses are current.

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Q. I have a list of facilities, now how do I choose?

A. Some facilities can be eliminated by doing some research up front. On Medicare's web site http://www.medicare.gov/Nhcompare/Home.asp, you can view the results of recent inspections. Many states also provide this information.

• Make phone calls to the facilities on your list to eliminate facilities that do not meet your needs. Make a list of questions before you call. Be realistic and think ahead about possible future needs as well as current requirements. In addition to nursing care, ask about physical and rehabilitation therapy and special dietary needs.
  
  
• After you have narrowed your list, visit each facility more than once, and at different times of the day. Try and visit once during meal time so you can observe how meals are handled.
  
  
• Take a check list with you on your visit and make detailed notes.
  
  
• Is the facility clean? Do the residents appear clean and well cared for? Are there unpleasant odors that persist on each visit?
  
  
• Are there any safety or fire hazards? Ask to see the home's last fire safety inspection.
  
  
• Are the bedrooms and bathrooms wheelchair accessible? Are the hallways wide enough for 2 wheelchairs to pass and are there handrails in the hallways and bathrooms?
  
  
• Talk to the staff and observe them with the residents. Are they happy with their jobs? Do they have a warm, friendly attitude towards the residents.
  
  
• Try and talk to some of the residents and see if they are happy with the facility. Do the residents seem to get along with each other?
  
  
• Are there recreational programs for the residents?
  
  
• If access to clergy or religious services is important to you, is that available?

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Q. How do I file a Long Term Care claim?

A. For information on filing Long Term Care or Home Health Care claims please review the Health Claims FAQ's.

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