Nursing Home or Rehabilitation Facility
There are several reasons a patient may need to be admitted to a rehabilitation facility or a nursing home. He or she may:
- Be medically stable enough to leave the acute hospital setting, but still need rehabilitation services
- Occupational therapy
- Speech therapy
- Physical therapy
- Need supervision and assistance with activities of daily living that cannot be provided at home
The discharge planning process should begin as soon as possible after the decision has been made that nursing home care or rehabilitation is needed. The discharge planner can provide you with a list of facilities that can meet your loved one's needs. The patient and his or her family decide which facility to use. Choosing a facility can be stressful. During this time of decision, the patient will need the support and assistance of family and friends.
Finding the Right Facility
It is important to visit several facilities and feel comfortable with the one chosen. In most situations, there will be several facilities from which to choose, but, if your loved one needs a certain type of medical care or rehabilitation, there may be fewer options. Regardless of the number of options, the role of family and friends in helping to choose a facility remains the same.
When a placement has been located, the hospital will provide certain information to the nursing home or rehabilitation center, including:
- Physician discharge summary
- Discharge summary from nursing, rehabilitation therapists, social workers
- List of medications and treatment
- Approval form from KePRO, if it is required
In addition, the hospital discharge planner will make the transportation arrangements to the facility.
Payment
Nursing Home Care
There are number of payment sources for nursing home care.
Rehabilitation
The hospital discharge planner can guide you in the process of applying for benefits. Rehabilitation is usually paid for through one's health insurance, which may be:
- A private health insurance plan
- A long-term care insurance plan
- Medicare or Medical Assistance.