| Nursing Homes and Other Care Options |
The location of nursing homes in Southern Illinois is listed by county in our Resource Guide on Aging.
Choosing a nursing facility, whether for yourself or a loved one, is often a painful and difficult task. There are no guarantees as to whether the facility you choose is really right for you, but there are a few issues to consider.
First, there are alternatives to placement in a nursing home, but whether they are best for you depends on your individual circumstances, such as your medical and physical needs. If you can manage your medications on your own, for example, then perhaps in-home services (homemaker, home delivered meals, etc.), an assisted living facility, or a supportive living facility is a better fit for you. A Case Manager can provide you with a free assessment and consultation to determine what best fits your needs before you make your decision.
If you decide that nursing home placement is best, begin by talking with people you trust and who can help you make a good choice like friends, neighbors, your physician, a hospital discharge planner, social worker or the long-term care Ombudsman.
- Determine if the nursing home facility your considering is licensed by the State. Ask to
see a copy of the most current licensing survey report.
- What is covered by the monthly room rate, and what is extra? Will Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance cover the monthly rate and extras?
- Ask how the resident’s medical emergencies are met and the policies regarding access to medical records and discharge from the facility.
- Observe at mealtime and notice if the meal is well balanced and appetizing.
- Are the surroundings pleasant and safe – that is, are there safety items such as grab bars, call bells, fire sprinklers, and clearly marked exits?
- Does the staff treat the residents with kindness and respond promptly to calls for assistance?
- Are there individual and group activities planned and posted on a visible calendar? What are the visiting hours?
- Is there enough onsite staff, particularly on weekends and in the evenings?
- Find out if the facility engages in any “Pioneer” activities, a reform movement to make sure nursing homes are more home-like and responsive to individual needs.
Another way to compare nursing homes is to visit the Internet website Nursing Home Compare, a tool which posts any health or safety violation findings for all licensed nursing homes.
Under certain conditions, Medicare will pay for a limited amount of the costs for Medicare beneficiaries who require skilled nursing or rehabilitation services. To be covered, services must be given by a Medicare certified skilled nursing home after a qualifying stay in a hospital.
For long-term stays due to chronic conditions, most people rely on personal finances, long-term care insurance, and Medicaid. Medicaid is a shared state and federal program that will pay most nursing home costs for people with limited income and assets, or who have spent-down most of their finances on care. For more information about Medicaid coverage, call the Senior Health Insurance Program, or SHIP, or your county office of the Department of Human Services.
For more information, ask for a copy of the booklet entitled “Your Guide to Choosing a Nursing Home,” published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services from your local senior center or contact us.
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