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UPSTATE
South Carolina ELDER LAW ATTORNEY REVEALS “The 9
Questions You Must Ask If Finding the
right nursing home, getting the best care there, paying for it properly,
protecting yourself and your family…all of these can be accomplished if
only you know who to talk to and what to ask There
are a few times in life more difficult than when you or a loved one has to
go into a nursing home. That’s
a stressful time. And we all
know the times we’re under great stress are not the best of times to
make major decisions. Unfortunately,
if you’re facing that situation, decisions must be made.
You’ve got to answer questions like… ·
What’s the right
nursing home for me? ·
How can I get the
best care there? ·
Is there a way to
pay for this without going broke? As
an Elder Law attorney, these are the issues I help my clients deal with
day in and day out. The
decision to place yourself or a family member into a nursing home is one
of the most difficult decisions you may ever be asked to make.
That’s why it’s important, if that time comes, to have a plan
and to know what questions to ask. In a
perfect world, you’d have plenty of time to visit the nursing homes,
talk to the residents, meet the care staff, sample the food and so on.
Unfortunately, we don’t live in a perfect world.
Often decisions have to be made quickly and without a lot of
information or comparisons. You
need to know what questions to ask to make an informed choice.
Here are some of the basic things to consider: 1.
Is a nursing home necessary or are there alternatives? In
my entire practice as an Elder Law attorney, I’ve never once had a
client say they were looking forward to going into a nursing home.
Yet, often there are alternatives that people simply don’t know
about. Talk to your
physician, social workers, and other professionals to see if there are
assisted living, home health care, or other alternatives for you. 2.
How do I find the right nursing home? The
best way is to take a systematic approach in a perfect world.
If this isn’t possible, at the very least, shop around.
Personally visit each nursing home you are considering (make
unannounced visits) and ask for recommendations.
3. Once I find the right nursing home, how can I get in? Surviving
the admissions process isn’t always easy.
Be up front with the nursing home admissions director, be prepared
to tell them all about your situation, including your finances, and be
prepared to negotiate. 4. Who will pay for my care…me, Medicare, Medicaid? Again,
it depends upon your personal situation and a knowledge of this difficult
area of the law. You also
have to be sure to take advantage
of the special protections available for your spouse, if he or she will
not also be in the nursing home. A
good Elder Law attorney can help you through this entire process. 5. Can they make my kids pay for my care? Not
if you handle the admissions process properly.
Just be careful not to sign everything that’s put in front of you
without a thorough understanding of all the documents.
6. Once I get in, how can I get the best care there? The
key here is to have a proper care plan in place.
That’s a plan developed by the nursing home staff professionals
(and you) to determine exactly what kind of care you’ll get.
Putting a proper care plan in place is perhaps the most important
step you can take…the care plan is part of your contract.
If you feel you can’t be the best advocate for yourself, then
it’s important to get help from an Elder Law attorney or a geriatric
care manager or another health professional.
7. Can I be moved around the facility, from room to room, once I’m
admitted? There
are several protections for you under Federal and state law.
Often times, people are moved without proper notice, and even
without proper authority. Spend
some time learning about your rights as a resident, or work with someone
who will be an advocate for you. 8. What are the nursing home’s duties to me? Ask
them for a copy of their duties under the Nursing Home Reform Act.
Because of a previous history of inadequate care, in the late
1980’s Congress passed laws which outline the minimum standards for
health, safety, and resident rights in nursing homes.
Chances are you’ll be surprised and pleased to learn all of your
rights…but it’s necessary that you take the time to do so. 9.
Is there someone who can help me with all of this? You
can get help from many professionals…from an Elder Law attorney to a
geriatric care manager, to social workers.
Be sure to deal with a professional who understands the broad range
of issues that arise when you or a loved one goes into a nursing home.
For instance, at The Fields Law Firm, P. A., we’re dedicated to
helping you find the right nursing home, getting the best care there, and
showing you how to pay for it without going broke.
We
offer a variety of services from the most basic educational information to
comprehensive legal services. And
we always tell you up front exactly what it will cost.
If
you’d like further information, please call The Fields Law Firm, P. A.,
at 1-800-356-4290. In Clemson
call (864) 653-4090 and in Greenville call (864) 232-2916. Articles:If You Have a
Spouse or Loved One in a Nursing Home Driving and Alzheimer's Disease Helpful Hints for Caregivers in the Home A South Carolina Elder Law Firm concentrating in: Medicaid, Elder Law, Alzheimer's Law, Special Needs & Disabilities Planning, Wills, Powers of Attorney, Health Care Directives, Guardianships & Conservatorships, Estate Planning, Taxation, Probate & Trust Administration, Trust and Asset Protection Planning.
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