What is necessary/or required to admit someone to the nursing home?
Answer:
You must be admitted under a doctor’s order. The doctor needs to be in Dubuque. Residents do not enter on their own. They must need a minimum level of care.
Question:
What are the levels of care provided at Luther Manor?
Answer:
Skilled Care, which is provided after a qualifying hospital stay. Skilled care is determined by the rules of the Federal program Medicaid.
Intermediate Care is regular nursing home care. It is either paid for privately by the individual or by a state run program called Medicaid. Medicaid is administered by the Dept of Human Service(DHS) It is for those who have run out of financial resources. Other resources are available for Veterans and people w/Nursing Home Insurance.
Memory Care is provided in our Sunshine Valley Suites area. These suites specialized in a low stimulus environment that provides security and safety to the residents. It is a secured unit for the safety of our residents and for those with a high risk of elopement.
Question:
What documentation will I need to provide?
Answer:
Documents must be provided before entry. Cards needed are the Medicare card,
Medical Supplemental Card (such as Medical Associates, John Deere, and Blue Cross) and Pharmacy care if the resident is part of a prescription program. The Social Security care is also needed, especially if there is not an “A” after the Medicare number.
We also need a copy of the Durable Power of Attorney for medical decisions and the financial General Power of Attorney. The first makes sharing of medical information possible with that person, but is also limits our ability to share with other family members.
In addition to these documents the new resident will need tuberculosis screening to be administered 48 hours before admission and read by a nurse on admission.
Care at Home
Question:
What are the minimum hours I can sign up for with Care at Home?
Answer:
Two hours at any given time, so we can plan schedule our caregivers accordingly.
Question:
Do we have to have a set schedule or can I call whenever I need some help?
Answer:
We ask for a set schedule. Then you can rely on help and may schedule errands and appointments on those days if needed
Question:
Do I have one caregiver or a different caregiver every time?
Answer:
One caregiver depending on the number of hours or days you sign up for. We take special effort to find a caregiver that you feel comfortable with; because we believe it makes all the difference. If you are not comfortable with your caregiver, you may request a change.
Question:
If my situation gets more difficult, do I have to seek medical assistance or go to a convalescent home?
Answer:
Care at Home can help care for you as long as you want us to. We can care for many of our clients around the clock, one-on-one in the comforts of home. We work together with all medical professionals to ensure you are receiving the care you deserve.
Question:
What happens if the caregiver does not show up for their scheduled shift?
Answer:
We are available 24/7 by calling 563/588-1145 an administrator on call will take your call. We have caregivers that are available to help out at a moment’s notice.
Question:
Does Care at Home require a service agreement to be signed to begin services?
Answer:
Yes. You should be leery of agencies that do not have a contract. They are not obligated to show up during their scheduled times, and they often leave their client stranded without a caregiver.
Question:
How does your company handle problems?
Answer:
We don’t avoid your call. In fact, we call often to ask how we are doing and if you are satisfied with your caregiver and our service and make supervisory visits every 90 days. If you are not satisfied, we will make every effort to rectify the situation as quickly as possible. Your satisfaction is our reputation. We are available 24 hours a day and management is always available
Question:
Do you criminally screen your caregivers?
Answer:
Yes, we do a thorough criminal background screening, we check with the elderly abuse registry and do a driver’s background check. We strive for quality in the care we provide and who is providing the care.
Question:
What does it take to get started?
Answer:
We invite you to call or e-mail. Our care coordinator will return your call at your convenience and you may interview them by phone. If you are pleased, you may set up a consultation in your home, your loved one's home, hospital, or our office. At that time, our director will explain in detail the services we have to offer
Question:
Do you accept Long Term Care Insurance?
Answer:
Many of our clients have long-term care insurance. We work closely with all parties involved to provide the proper paperwork and information required for reimbursement
Costs
Question:
What is the cost associated with nursing home care?
Answer:
An evaluation of the level of care the resident requires is done immediately for skilled residents and within 48 hours for intermediate care residents. That rate sheet is part of the admission packet. The resident will be billed for the remainder of the month. Statements are mailed to private pay residents by the first of the month, so you do pay ahead for the upcoming month.
Hours
Question:
Are there set hours that I can visit my loved one?
Answer:
Suggested hours are 9 AM to 9 PM, however guest may come at time. We ask that You avoid mealtimes so that the residents can get proper nutrition. Many families plan their visits around the activities known to be enjoyed by the residents.
Medications
Question:
What about medications? Can I bring the prescription bottles that we have at home?
Answer:
Except for residents receiving VA meds, all other medications must use a unit dose system to administer the medication in an organized and controlled manner. Mercy CareMor and Hartigs package the unit does system on a weekly basis.
No over the counter meds are allowed (Tylenol, cough medicine, vitamin pills, etc) We can get theses for the resident, but they must be under a doctor’s order, properly labeled and administered by our staff.
Veteran Administration medication requires participation from the family in reordering. This process needs to be clear to you so consult with Social Services.
Resident Rooms
Question:
What about TV?
Answer:
Residents need to have their own television set, but you do not have to go through the cable company. Cable comes to the whole building. Upon entering the nursing home you will be billed from that month to the end of the year for one low cost.
Question:
What about furnishing the room?
Answer:
The room comes with a hospital bed, nightstand, chair, and table lamp. There is also a closet and built in dresser for clothes. We encourage the families to make the room personal. Families may bring their favorite chair-often a recliner and family pictures.
What not to bring-Throw rugs, doorstops, and extension cords. Also no aerosol cans or sharp objects.
Question:
What about a phone in the resident’s room?
Answer:
Phone service is a private arrangement between the phone company and the resident or family member. For shorter-term stays, you might just consider a cell phone. If the resident does not want a phone, calls can be directed to Luther Manor. However, no long distance outgoing calls would be allowed.
Worship Services
Question:
Are worship services provided by Luther Manor?
Answer:
Luther Manor is the only nursing home in Dubuque to have a full time chaplain on staff. Sunday worship is at 9:45. Holy Communion is held the first Sunday of the month.
Catholic Mass is every Tuesday afternoon at 3:45 p.m. In addition Eucharistic ministers distribute the Eucharist during the week.
