Nursing Home Placement
How do you determine if a client is eligible for a nursing home?
We examine a consumer’s medical records, any information available from community agencies such as visiting nurses or Adult Day Health programs, any information that our agency may have regarding the consumer’s status and the results of any assessment visits for consumers who require one. We look at medical needs, risk of injury or illness, level of the consumer’s need for care and compare that to the services available in the community. Eligibility for nursing home is then based on guidelines and regulations established by the Division of Medical Assistance, otherwise known as MassHealth (or Medicaid.)
What is a nursing home or nursing facility?
These facilities provide 24 hour nursing care, rehabilitation care including physical, occupational, and speech therapy, assistance with personal care tasks, toileting program, eating, transfers and mobility. Many facilities also offer specialized services for consumers with middle to late stage Alzheimer’s disease. Some have respite programs that provide short-term care so that caregivers can have a few days away from their daily routine.
How is a nursing home paid for?
Many insurance plans, including Medicare, provide nursing facility placement for a short period of time, usually after a set number of days is spent in an acute care facility or hospital. Often the consumer is responsible for a co-payment depending on the number of days they spend at the nursing facility. For consumers who meet the income eligibility guidelines and qualify for MassHealth or Medicaid, nursing home placement may be covered for both long and short-term placement, once a nursing home screening is completed. Social workers in nursing homes, hospitals, home care agencies, and Aging Service Access Points such as Elder Services of Worcester Area, often assist in completing the Mass Health application process. Private long-term care insurance may also cover nursing facility placement depending on the policy.
What is a nursing home screening?
A nursing home screening must be completed for all candidates who are both over 22 years of age and Medicaid recipients, prior to admission to a nursing facility. This is a screening that involves an Elder Services of Worcester Area nurse, the consumer, family members, and doctor. An additional screening may be required if the consumer has an intellectual? or physical disability that occurred before the age of 22 or a mental illness, the additional screening from the appropriate state agency may be required for approval to take place. During the screening process, our nurses will make referrals for additional screenings once the client’s diagnosis has been confirmed. Please refer to the Our Nursing Department section and see How to Request a Nursing Home Screening.
How do I find a good nursing home?
Some basic steps to follow in deciding upon a facility are:
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- Discuss needs and services available, particularly with the doctor.
- Decide on a location, taking into consideration who will be visiting the resident most often and communities nearest those persons.
- Identify facilities in that area that have services that the resident will require.
- Ask if the consumer’s doctor will be following the elder at a certain facility.
- Visit, observe and ask questions. Contact the admissions department of each facility to schedule a tour and ask about waiting lists, bed availability, and services.
- Talk to staff, other residents, and especially the family members who visit them.
- Narrow your choices, revisit and check state survey performances. The best web site for this is the Massachusetts Department of Health and Human Services and simply enter the town in which you are searching, or the name of the facility. For additional information you can contact Elder Services of Worcester Area at 508 756-1545 or complete an inquiry form.
What can I do if I have a complaint or a concern about a Nursing Home?
Ombudsman Programs are available to address concerns or problems that arise during an individual’s placement. For more information on the Nursing Home Ombudsman Program call the Central Massachusetts Agency on Aging at 508-852-5539 (V/TDD) or toll free at 1-800-244-3032.
Click here for a printable page of how to apply for Nursing Home care
