Post-acute care typically refers to the skilled nursing and rehabilitation care that is required for patients recently released from the hospital following surgery such as a hip replacement or back surgery. Here at Village Health Care, our goal is to provide the highest level of compassionate skilled nursing care to get patients back home living their best lives in the shortest time possible.
Choosing the right skilled nursing or rehabilitation facility requires an informed decision and if surgery is planned it is important to plan ahead. The following is a checklist to help ensure your loved one is placed in a high-quality care facility conveniently located in your area.
Step 1: The Location of the Nursing Facility
- The skilled nursing facility is located close enough for friends and family to visit.
- The SNF provides the skilled care you need, and a bed is available.
- Make sure that the SNF has special services needed in a separate care unit (i.e. dementia, or rehabilitation)
- Medicare and Medicaid certification
- Are there extra charges for other services, like beauty shop services?
- Have you checked the nursing home’s star ratings on Medicare.gov?
- Does the nursing home have an arrangement with a nearby hospital? Village Health Care is partnered with Providence Medical and Legacy Health.
Step 2: Visit the nursing facility you are interested in:
A visit gives you a chance to see the residents, staff, and nursing home setting. You can also ask questions to the nursing home staff and talk with residents and their family members.
Residents Observation
- When visiting check to see if the current residents are clean, appropriately dressed for the season or time of day, and well-groomed.
- Does the relationship between staff and residents appear to be warm, polite, and respectful?
Living Spaces
- Is the overall skilled nursing facility clean and well kept?
- Is the nursing home free from overwhelming unpleasant odors?
- Is the temperature in the SNF comfortable for residents?
- Does the Nursing home have good lighting?
Menus & Food
- Do residents have a choice of food items at each meal?
- Can the nursing home provide for special dietary needs (like low-salt or diabetic-friendly diets)?
- Does the staff help residents eat and drink at mealtimes, if needed?
Staff
- All staff should wear name tags.
- There should be a full-time Registered Nurse (RN) in the Skilled Nursing facility at all times, other than the Director of Nursing.
Residents’ Rooms
- Are residents able to have personal belongings and/or furniture in their rooms?
- Does each resident have personal storage space (closet and drawers) in his or her room?
- Do residents have access to a personal telephone and television?
- Do residents have a choice of roommates?
Activities
- May residents, including those who are unable to leave their rooms, choose to take part in a variety of activities.?
- Does the SNF have outdoor areas for resident use and staff help residents go outside?
- Does the nursing home offer the religious or cultural support I need? If not, what type of arrangements will they provide to meet my needs?
Safety & Care
- Residents get preventive care, like a yearly flu shot, to help keep them healthy.
- Residents may still see their regular doctors.
- Care plan meetings are held with residents and family members at times that are convenient whenever possible.
- The SNF has corrected all deficiencies (failure to meet one or more Federal or State requirements) on its last state inspection report.
Visiting Nursing Homes during COVID-19
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, nursing facilities may continue to update their services and policies to comply with the state department of health and CDC guidelines. For example, visitors may be required to wear a face mask or cloth face covering. Before you visit, check with the facility for information on their policies. You can also follow CDC guidelines to protect yourself during your visit.
Paying for Care
To learn more about paying for care including Medicaid and Medicare you can visit ni.nih.gov.
Visit Gresham Oregon’s Top Rated Skilled Nursing Facility Today
For more information about nursing homes and tips for determining the skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility best for you, visit the Medicare website. If you or your loved one are in the Gresham, Oregon area please call our health services liaison at 503-665-0183 or contact us online for additional information.
