Slide 1
Choosing a Long Term Care Facility
Click below to PLAY the Introductory VideoOur PurposeThis
presentation will help you:
Identify things youll need to know Identify things youll want to
know Locate Resources available for you
Our PurposeThis presentation will help you:
Understand & Compare the Information Formulate Questions to
Ask Make an Informed Decision
OverviewNot all facilities are alike.
Depending on your needs there are three general types of care
that may be available:Skilled level of careIntermediate level of
careAssisted living careOverviewSkilled Level of Care:This level of
care requires skilled medical care by medical personnel such as a
registered nurse (RN), physical therapist (PT), or an occupational
therapist (OT). OverviewIntermediate Level of Care:This level of
care is for individuals who have stable conditions that require
daily care, and some nursing supervision, and often involves
assistance in performing daily routine tasks, such as bathing and
eating.
OverviewAssisted Living or Community Residential Care:This level
of care is for individuals who require simple assistance with
bathing, eating, grooming, dressing, and other routine tasks.
OverviewIf Youre Helping Another Person:Helping another person
choose a Long Term Care Facility can be difficult. Be sure to
include the person youre helping in decisions as much as possible.
Always make decisions with his or her needs and preferences in
mind.
OverviewTerms and Acronyms You May See:
SNF Skilled Nursing FacilityLOS Length of StayPOC Plan of
CareADLs Activities of Daily LivingROM Rang of Motion
9OverviewTerms and Acronyms You May See:
OT Occupational TherapyPT Physical TherapyRN Registered NurseLPN
Licensed Practical NurseCNA Certified Nursing Assistant
10OverviewTerms and Acronyms You May See:
CVA Cerebral Vascular AccidentHTN HypertensionDM2 Diabetes
Mellitus Type 2CHF Congestive Heart FailureCOPD Chronic Pulmonary
Obstructive DiseaseRA Rheumatoid Arthritis
11OverviewTerms and Acronyms You May See:
QC Quad CanePUW Pick Up WalkerRW Rolling WalkerNWB Non Weight
BearingPWB Partial Weight Bearing
12Resources AboundState of Ohio Long Term Care Ombudsman
(800)282-1206 or Nationally at (202)-332-2275An ombudsman: is a
state or county government-funded advocate for residents of Long
Term Care (LTC) facilities.
13Resources AboundAn ombudsman: assist residents and others
by:Educating consumers and long-term care providers about residents
rights and good care practices.Providing information to the public
on long-term care facilities and policy issues.
14Resources AboundAn ombudsman: assist residents and others
by:Help you find and interpret information from state inspection
reports and the other quality measures.Investigate complaints filed
against a particular facility (substantiated or
unsubstantiated).www.theconsumervoice.org/ombudsman/ohio
15Resources AboundThe Eldercare Locator: Is a public service of
the Administration on Aging, & U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services. It provides a resource that connects older
Americans and their caregivers with information for many senior
services.
www.eldercare.gov Phone: (800) 667-1116
16Resources AboundThe Medicare Nursing Home Compare: A great
tool for finding detailed information about every Medicare and
Medicaid-LTC facilities and nursing home in the country.
17Resources AboundThe Medicare Nursing Home Compare: You canFind
Nursing Homes in your area.Compare the quality of the nursing Homes
you're considering using the Five-Star Quality Ratings, health
inspection results, nursing home staff data, and other quality
measures.
18Resources AboundThe Medicare Nursing Home Compare: You can
3.Use the Nursing Home Checklist resources when visiting the
Long Term Care facilities you're considering.
www.medicare.gov/NHCompare/asap
19Resources AboundMemberoftheFamily.netGet the nursing home care
your loved one deserves.
MemberoftheFamily.net: provides information on about 16,000 U.S.
Long Term Care Facilities. They offer easy-to-understand reports
based on recent government surveys.
20Resources AboundMemberoftheFamily.netGet the nursing home care
your loved one deserves.
MemberoftheFamily.net: Has a National Watch List of homes cited
for violations or substantiated complaints. They also maintain an
Honor Roll of places found to be deficiency-free.
www.memberofthefamily.net
21Resources Abound
The Long-Term Care Consumer Guide: provides information about
Long Term Care facilities and assisted living facilities to help
consumers, family members and professionals search for the
appropriate facility to meet an individuals needs.
22Resources Abound
The Long-Term Care Consumer Guide: Is a great place start to
comparing facilities by using their Ohio Long-Term Care Consumer
Guide.
http://www.ltcohio.org/ Phone: (614)466-5500
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Resources Abound Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging: Is a
resource for older adults and their families. COAAA provides
information, resources and education to the community, and provides
services to promote independent living in the
home.http://www.coaaa.org Phone: (800) 589-7277
24Resources AboundThe Administration on Aging: Is a Federal
agency resource that can give you a list of the long-term care
choices in your state.They can help you find a Long Term Care
facility. www.aoa.gov Phone: (202)-619-0724
25Resources AboundThe Joint Commission (TJC): is recognized
nationwide as a symbol of quality that reflects an organizations
commitment to meeting high performance standards.
www.jointcommission.org Phone: (800) 589-7277
26Considerations:
What is important to you?Quality of care: Can the primary
caregiver meet the persons needs? Can the facility offer the rehab
services that I need? Staffing levels are an important factor to
consider in evaluating the quality of care given at a facility.
27Considerations:
What is important to you?Quality of care: What activities are
residents involved in? What kind of skilled therapy services are
available? How does the facility ensure family and patient
participation creating the plan of care?
28Considerations:
What is important to you?Quality of care: Does the facility
respect the patients wishes with their schedule (bedtime, baths,
meals)? Are staff responsive to resident requests (Call lights
answered promptly)?
29Considerations:
What is important to you?Quality of care: Will insurance or
government funding (Medicare, Medicaid, state health plans) cover
the cost? Is transportation provided to Dr. appointments or
community activities? What level of privacy can I expect at this
facility?
30Questions to Ask:Facility Questions: What type of ownership
does the facility have (for-profit, non-profit, church-related,
etc.)? What type of payments are accepted (Medicare, Medicaid, or
both)?
31Questions to Ask:Facility Questions: Is the facility Certified
and Accredited by the Joint Commission? Does the facility have beds
available? How long has the facility been in operation?
32Questions to Ask:Facility Questions: Does the facility have
full-time therapy staff including physical therapy, occupational
therapy, speech therapy? Does the facility conduct home visits
before discharging patients back to their homes?33Planning a Visit:
Planning a Visit: Narrowed down your list of facilities and make a
plan to visit each one. Make sure to bring a visit checklist from
as a resource to guide your observations and questions.34Planning a
Visit: Planning a Visit: You can learn a great deal about a LTC
facility by taking time to sit and observe how staff interacts with
residents. Talk with residents and their family members to get a
full understanding of life at the Facility.35Planning a Visit:
Planning a Visit: Does the facility appear and smell clean? What
kinds of meals are normally served? Do they look nutritious and
appetizing? How are special diets handled? What kind of help is
available to patients for meals?36Planning a Visit: Planning a
Visit: What quality of life activities are available for residents?
Are outdoor activities available, health permitting? Is the staff
experienced in treating your type of health concerns?37Planning a
Visit: Visit Again: Its a good idea to visit the facility a second
time. Try to visit the facility on a different day of the week and
at a different time of day than your first visit. Staffing can vary
at different times of the day and night and also on
weekends.38Making anInformed Decision: Making an Informed Decision:
Choose the facility that meets your personal needs. Talk with
people who understand your personal and health care needs (family,
friends, doctor, clergy). Use all the information you gather to
compare. Trust yourself Trust your senses!!
39References:www.aoa.govwww.coaaa.orgwww.eldercare.govwww.jointcommission.orgwww.ltcohio.org/www.medicare.gov/NHCompare/asapwww.memberofthefamily.netwww.theconsumervoice.org/ombudsman/ohio
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