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ALL TOO OFTEN, families wait until the care. If your loved one starts out in KNOWLEDGE
last minute to make a decision about their an independent senior living facility
loved one’s care, and they aren’t prepared that doesn’t offer higher levels of CARLYLE PLACE:
to really research the pros and cons of care, such as assisted living, skilled
each facility. nursing or nursing home care, you’ll HELPING SENIORS
have to look for a different facility if GET THE MOST
“Families need to think about care care needs change. OUT OF LIFE
options when their parent becomes frail,”
says Thomas Rockenback Jr., MBA, NHA, ✓ How many residents live in the Carlyle Place, Navicent Health is central
CSSBB, Chief Administrative Officer at Georgia’s only Life Plan Community, which
Carlyle Place, Navicent Health. “The facility? means it meets the needs for its senior
worst thing that can happen is a parent If a facility has an occupancy rate residents at any stage of health. Residents
is hospitalized and needs additional care, of 80 percent or lower—and it’s not move into the facility before they have
and there’s a last-minute panic when the new—find out why. Potential problems significant medical needs and can then
discharge planner asks the family where could include issues with inspection continue receiving the right level of care at
they would like their parent to go.” requirements, staff or care provided. the right time as their needs change.
STARTING THE SEARCH ✓ What deficiencies are present? The 58-acre campus of Carlyle Place
boasts:
Fortunately, resources are available It’s not uncommon for the state
for families to start planning for care to identify deficiencies during • 2 26 independent living garden homes
now, says Jayesh Patel, MD, a family inspections, Rockenback says, and and apartments—These homes, which
medicine physician at Family Health inspection reports should be posted in can be studio apartments or one-,
Center, Navicent Health.The Geriatric the facility. Decide if the deficiencies two- or three-bedroom apartments or
Department at Family Health Center, are severe, and find out if there is a garden homes, provide a great option
Navicent Health can offer guidance. pattern that indicates neglect. for seniors who want to live an active
and safe life and don’t need day-to-day
“We provide a comprehensive ✓ What Is the cost for the facility, medical help or assistance with activities
geriatric health assessment that of daily living.
includes a cognitive assessment and and what does it include?
we discuss topics like fall prevention, Most skilled nursing facilities have a • Stafford Suites—In the 29 assisted
decreasing unnecessary medications standard room and board rate, plus living residences, caregivers help
and community resources that are the cost of any medical or skilled care residents with activities such as getting
available,” Dr. Patel says. “Don’t think provided. Find out what those costs out of bed, taking medicine, bathing or
you have to make decisions about care are, and if your loved one is eligible using the restroom.
alone. The physician is here to help.” to have any of those costs covered
through Medicare, Medicaid or private • Cambridge Court—These 26 memory
If the family and physician agree that health insurance. Some skilled care care residences are designed for residents
a care facility is necessary, Dr. Patel facilities have a low monthly cost and who are battling memory impairments and
recommends a combination of online then charge independent ancillary need 24-hour supervision and care in a
research and in-person visits. fees for every product and service the structured setting.
resident uses.
“Families can visit medicare.gov/ • Harrington House—Caregivers in the
nursinghomecompare for detailed ✓ Are residents happy? 40 skilled nursing residences allow
information that can be used to residents to get the nursing care they
compare nursing homes,” Dr. Patel says. Learn what the biggest compliments need while still maintaining dignity and
“These evaluations consider staffing, and complaints are from residents. Are a daily routine.
quality of care, health inspections and complaints addressed appropriately? Do
overall ratings.” residents leave to go to another facility? “We are able only to admit residents from
If so, why? Are there activities for within the Life Plan campus to our skilled
During in-person visits to the residents to enjoy? nursing area, so we’re able to make sure that
facilities, watch the caregivers in action we provide the patient-centered care that
and judge for yourself if residents ✓ Is the staff engaged and active? meets our patients’ needs and wants,” says
look happy and well cared for. Meet Thomas Rockenbach Jr., MBA, NHA, CSSBB,
with an admissions counselor, and ask Facilities should be able to tell you the Chief Administrative Officer at Carlyle Place,
questions, including: staff to patient ratio and whether they Navicent Health. “We are certainly proud of
meet or exceed that. Ask about staff the care we provide to our residents.”
✓ Does the facility offer all the turnover and find out if staff members
are eligible for additional training WINTER 2018 | navicenthealth.org 13
levels of care my loved one programs.
may need?
Some facilities are freestanding, while
others are part of a continuum of
