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Placing a
loved one in a nursing home
Ask Elder Services (Questions and Answers)
Q: My mother's care has become too much to handle and we are thinking of placing her in a nursing home. What should we do?
A: Consult your mothers physician about her condition and the severity of her illness. Ask the doctor if he or she feels that a nursing home placement is appropriate.
Q: I have decided to place my mother in a nursing home, but I want to keep her close to home and family. Are there any nursing homes in my area and how do I select the right one? Can you make any suggestions?
A: While Elder Services cannot advocate recommend one nursing home over another, we can provide you with the names and phone numbers of nursing homes in your area. You are encouraged to contact the nursing home(s) of your choice to make an appointment to visit the facility and discuss your concerns.
Q: I've heard that nursing homes are very expensive and I'm concerned because my mother does not have a lot of money. Will Medicare or Medicaid help pay for a nursing home?
A: Medicare will pay for up to the first 100 days in a nursing home after a three day hospital stay. Medicare will pay for up to 100 days in a skilled nursing facility, depending upon the therapy and/or nursing needs as decided by the professional team. For additional funding, you should find out if your mother is eligible for Medicaid. A person can pay privately, if neither of the above are a possibility.
Q: I heard that I needed to have my mother screened by Elder Services before being placed in a nursing home. What is the screening for?
A: If Medicaid is to be the payer for such care, then the process of placement in such a residence should begin with contacting Elder Services to have a screening done by one of our nurses. The nurses are based at Elder Services and will determine if persons requiring assistance can best be served in the community or by a long term care facility. For further information contact Elder Services at 499-0524, or 1-800-544-5242.