Page 5 - Senior Times South Central Michigan - April 2017 - 24-04

Senior Times - April 2017
Page 5
MAKE THE CHOICE – BEFORE YOU HAVE TO
By: Cassandra Lucas-Moore, Referral Manager, MediLodge of Marshall
with cognitive issues on a regular basis. Patients with this payer type may be re- sponsible for a Patient Pay Amount (PPA), as set by Medicaid.
Medicare is a federally funded program and allows for up to 100 days of skilled nursing facility short-term rehab care as long as certain criteria are met – the main condition is a three-night inpatient hospital stay. Medicare will cover the first 20 days at 100%, then there is a co-pay amount
for days 21-100. Secondary insurances may cover part or all of the co-pay amount depending on your plan.
Managed care plans such as Medicare advantage plans, Managed Medicaid, com- mercial insurance’s or HMOs, have slight- ly different criteria in that they do not all require the three-night inpatient stay. They do, however, require prior authorization and costs to the patient could be different depending on if the center they chose is in network or out of network. Prior authoriza- tion is something that the facility and/or hospital will work to obtain. Make sure to discuss with the facility that you choose what options are available for payment. Insurance coverage and options can be confusing, as is the world of healthcare. Know that there are people available to assist and point you in the right direction. Understanding that there are options makes preparation a bit easier.
As experts in the field, we always rec- ommended that you tour facilities to see what each location has to offer and what will be the best fit for you and your loved one. Complete these tours now so that you can be prepared if the need arises. Talk to people who have needed skilled care to see what their experiences have been. Make the choice – before you have to.
Making the choice to go to a skilled nursing center is something that we don’t think about until we are faced with this very critical decision. And while we un- derstand that the first choice is to go home after an illness or injury, we also know that it may not be the safest. Being prepared
is the best solution. You don’t decide while you’re having an acute episode what hospital to go to, you have already thought about that and know where you want to go. This is no different. But, what do you need to know to make this critical decision for yourself or your loved one?
First, let’s talk about what skilled nursing is. Many people still think of a skilled nursing center as nursing homes. While this is partially true, there are many differences in the level of care provided in skilled nursing centers today. These centers provide services such as short- term rehabilitation, long-term care and respite services. Skilled nursing centers, also known as Sub-Acute Rehab centers, provide physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and respiratory therapy and focus on returning patients home.
Next, knowing what you need to have in place is half the battle. Some of these conversations can be uncomfortable but being prepared is key when you are faced with hard decisions Always have your ID and insurance cards with you.
If a person does not have good mem- ory, they should leave ID and insurance cards with a trusted person. This could be a spouse, child or other guardian/ Durable Power of Attorney.
A Durable Power of Attorney (DPOA)
is a designated person to make decisions for you if you are unable to make decisions for yourself. The Durable Power of At- torney is only able to make those decisions after two physicians have deemed you to be incapacitated or unable to decide for yourself. Some of the DPOA forms include advanced directives that give specifics
on what measures you wish to be taken, such as breathing assistance – trach, vent, or feeding tubes. The advanced directives may also include choices such as Do Not Resuscitate. Know what your wishes are and who you would like to carry out these wishes on your behalf if you are not able to.
Another piece that can be puzzling is the cost and how these services are paid for. We know that this is often times the most confusing part for most patients and families.
There are four basic ways to pay for skilled nursing services: Medicaid, Medicare, Managed Care, and Private Pay.
Medicaid is a state funded program and covers care at a skilled nursing home for long-term care and short-term care. People who need long-term care in a skilled nurs- ing center must meet certain criteria, such as needing extensive physical assistance with activities of daily living or assistance
CITY
Nashville Delton
Union City
Battle Creek Albion Marshall Battle Creek Homer
Michigan Center Jackson Jackson
LOCATION
Main St. Banqets
Faith United Methodist
FACILITATOR
Jenny Burlison Elayne Nottingham
PHONE DAYS
(269) 852-9182 M-F (269) 623-5400 M,W,T
TIME
10:30am-1pm 10:30am-1pm
SENIOR DINING CENTERS
BARRY COUNTY
Hastings
COA Building
Mary Cook
(269) 948-4856
M-F
10am-2pm
Woodland
Eagles Club
Joyce Dennie
(269) 367-4041
M,W,F
10:30am-1pm
Meals provided by Barry County Commission on Aging. A program sponsored by Barry County United Way.
Union City Fire Station Rusty Hampton (517) 741-7212 M,T,TH,F 10:30am-12pm
Lunch served at 12pm
BRANCH COUNTY
Coldwater
Branch County CAA Office
Tamara Wittbrodt
(517) 278-8249
M-F
9am-1pm
Lunch Served at 12pm
Meals provided by Community Action Food and Nutritional Services. Funding sources AAA 3C, Branch County United Way, USDA and private donations.
CALHOUN COUNTY
Albion
Albion Senior Dining Center
Cynthia Rose
(866) 200-8877 ext 350
M,T,W,F
10:30am-1pm
Lunch served at 12pm
Bedford Manor Dining Center Clarence Dining Center Marshall House Dining Center Westbrook Place Dining Center Homer Presbyterian Church
Burdell Wells
Sharon Rice
Bablynn Squires Michelle Dove
Senior Health Partners
(866) 200-8877 ext 350 (866) 200-8877 ext 350 (866) 200-8877 ext 350 (866) 200-8877 ext 350 (866) 200-8877 ext 350
M,W,F 10:30am-1pm M,T,W 10:30am-1pm M,W,F 10:30am-1pm M,W,F 10:30am-1pm T 10:30am
Lunch served at 11:30am Lunch served at 11:45am Lunch served at 12pm Lunch served at 11:30am Whole Person Wellness too
Lunch served at 12pm
Lunch served at 12pm
Lunch served at 12pm
Battle Creek
Cherryhill Manor Senior Center
Constance Siegel
(866) 200-8877 ext 350
M,W,F
10:30am-1pm
Lunch served at 11:30am
Battle Creek
Lakeview 900 Dining Center
Karl Hoard
(866) 200-8877 ext 350
M,W,F
10:30am-1pm
Lunch served at 11:30am
Battle Creek
Springview Towers Dining Center
Caroline Oberlin
(866) 200-8877 ext 350
M,W,F
10:30am-1pm
Lunch served at 11:30am
Battle Creek
Northside Senior Dining Center
Deboraha Sallee
(866) 200-8877 ext 350
T,W,Th
10:30am-1pm
Lunch served at 11:30am
Tekonsha
Tekonsha Community Hall
Senior Health Partners
(866) 200-8877 ext 350
T
10am
Whole Person Wellness too
Meals provided by Senior Services. Funding by Calhoun County Senior Services, AAA 3B, USDA and private donations.
JACKSON COUNTY
Jackson
Crouch Senior Center
Michelle Rose
(517) 788-4364
M,T,W,Th,F
8am-4pm
Lunch served at 12pm
St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church
Park Forest
Word of Light
Nikki Soli
Lynn Walker
Nancy Behling
(517) 764-2950
(517) 787-9750
(517) 782-7755
M,W,F 10am-2pm
M,T,W,Th,F 10am-1pm
M,T,W,Th,F 10am-1:30pm
Norvell
Norvell/Township Hall
Gail Jamieson
(517) 536-4370
M,W,F
10am-1pm
Lunch served at 12pm
Spring Arbor
Spring Arbor Senior Center
Bev Greene
(517) 750-1010
M,T,W,Th,F
8:30am-2:30pm
Lunch served at 12pm
To have your senior dining center added, Call Sherii at (269) 979-1412 ext. 302 or Email: ssherban@wwthayne.com