FACILITIES & SERVICES NEWS & ACTIVITIES VOLUNTEERS FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Facility Information:

 

Mission
 
Q: What types of services do you offer at the nursing home?

A: All beds in the nursing home are certified for nursing and skilled geriatric services. We provide both long term accommodations and short term rehabilitation services.

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Q:What types of rooms do you have at the nursing home?

A:We have 34 rooms, 3 are private rooms and 31 are semi-private.

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Q:What type of payment options are there at the nursing home?

A:Our facility is certified for both Medicaid and Medicare. We will also work with most third party insurance companies. All residents are required to pay thirty (30) days upon admission, unless they are certified as a “skilled” admission.

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Q:Do you have facilities approved for services provided under the Home-and Community-Based Services, Elderly Waiver program?

A:Yes, the West Liberty Assisted Living Residences and the Leland Smith Assisted Living are both approved for services provided under the Home-and Community-Based Services, Elderly Waiver program.

Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) is a special Medicaid program. Services are provided to assist persons to remain in their own homes or communities who would otherwise require care in medical institutions. Persons approved for waiver services may, also, live in assisted living programs. However, waiver services will not pay for room and board. Provision of these services must be cost effective. Services are limited to certain targeted consumer groups for whom a federal waiver has been requested and approved. Services provided through the waivers are not available to other Medicaid recipients.

Iowa currently has six separate Medicaid waivers;

  • AIDS/HIV Waiver,
  • BRAIN INJURY Waiver,
  • ELDERLY Waiver,
  • ILL & HANDICAPPED Waiver,
  • MENTAL RETARDATION Waiver,
  • PHYSICAL DISABILITY Waiver.

If you would like more information about these programs, please contact your county Department of Human Services office or visit the Department of Human Services (DH) website at www.dhs.state.ia.us

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Q:What do we have to do to be admitted to the nursing home?

A:Your physician must certify that you need nursing services. There is an application that must be completed and then we will do an assessment of your condition to make sure we can meet your needs.

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Q:Will my own doctor come see me at the nursing home?

A:The facility Medical Director and a local physician are required to make calls in the facility every 30 days for a period of 3 months, then every 60 days. Your personal doctor will take care of you if need to be admitted to a hospital.

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Q:May I use my own Pharmacy and/or bring my meds from home when I enter the nursing home?

A:No, we can not accept medications from home. Our facility uses the Opus Unit Dose system for safety and accountability in administering medications to our residents.
Yes, you may use your pharmacy if they will set your meds up in the Opus Unit Dose system that conforms to our current med carts. If not, we can offer competitive services through the facility’s pharmacy services.

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Q:May I bring my own furniture?

A:Yes. We encourage you to bring items that will make you feel at home; your favorite chair, a dresser, pictures for the walls, etc. However, due to Life Safety Rules, we do have to limit furnishings that would make your room unsafe to maneuver in. Extension cords are not allowed by the Fire Marshall.

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Q:Do I get to pick my roommate when I come to the nursing home?

A:No. New residents are placed in beds that become available. We do our very best to accommodate medical, cognitive, and physical needs. If a problem with a roommate does develop, we will try to work out a satisfactory arrangement with both parties.

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Q:What types of personal clothing & hygiene supplies do I bring to the nursing home?

A:Our suggestion to new residents is to bring one week’s worth of outfits, undergarments, and nightwear. Clearly mark all clothing items with the first and last name of the resident using a permanent laundry type marker. If you have incontinency issues, additional undergarments and outfits may be necessary. In our facility information it was explained that toiletry items such as toothpaste, denture tablets, Kleenex, incontinency briefs, etc. will be supplied. However, if a “name brand” is requested, it will have to be supplied by the family.

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Q:Will I have a phone and TV service at the nursing home?

A:Each room has a phone jack, but you will need to make arrangements with the local phone company to have the phone installed and the bill sent to whoever will be responsible for payment.
Each room has a cable TV plug that is available at no additional cost.

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Q:What types of activities go on during the day the day at the nursing home?

A:We have a fulltime activity director and social worker who help meet the social and activity needs of our residents. We offer a wide variety of social interaction; music groups, games, children visits, card playing, Bingo, exercise classes, etc.

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Q:What about outside facility activities or appointments?

A:Our facility has two handicap buses and one van. We will provide transportation to medical appointments at an additional cost. We also offer a variety of outings in the community; trips to local restaurants, attendance at the county fair, special local church activities, sightseeing trips and holiday light trips.

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Q:Are there set visiting hours?

A:No, we do not have set visiting hours however we do encourage guests to be remindful of the resident’s care needs. We suggest that the best time to visit is after 9 a.m. in the morning and before 7 p.m. in the evening. We do lock our doors at 9pm for the safety of the residents and staff.

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Q:May I come and go as I please?

A:We are responsible and account for the needs of all our residents. In that case, we do ask that we be notified in advance if a resident is going to leave for the day. This allows us to arrange accommodations for medications, treatments, and personal care issues that may be needed while away. If you are an SNF resident, then you must have a doctor’s order that grants you permission to travel out and about.

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Q:May I eat in my room at the nursing home?
A:We encourage all residents to leave their room and enjoy our dining room buffet service. This not only allows a wide variety of food choices but offers important social interaction for the resident. If a resident is contagious, we will make arrangements for room meal service.

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Q:Are beauty and barber service available?
A:Yes, we have a beautician who comes weekly to do both male and female hair care services at the West Liberty campus. At the Wilton campus, tenants are encouraged to go to local barber or beauty shops.
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Q:May I have guests for meals or parties?
A:Yes. We invite all residents to have family and friends in. Our meal services can accommodate two guests on any given day in the dining room. The cost is $5 per person. Groups larger must make prior reservations. We have a wonderful family room and an activity center that can be scheduled for private family events.
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Q:What happens if I go to the hospital?
A:At the nursing home, you and your family will be asked if you wish to hold your bed. If so, the current room charges will continue while you are gone. A Medicaid resident will have their bed held by the state for a total of ten days. On day eleven, it becomes the responsibility of the resident and/or family to decide if they want to hold it longer at the current Medicaid room rate. At this point, payment will be required in order to retain the hold status on the bed. At the Independent Living or Assisted Living level, you and your family will be asked if you wish to hold your apartment. In your absence, the current apartment charges will continue.
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