You do not have to work this out alone.
Choosing care for someone you love is a big decision. Here is what we would tell a friend.
What happens, in order
- 1
Start with a call
Call the community you have in mind, or ask the hospital’s case manager to. Say what kind of care is needed and when.
- 2
Visit, more than once if you like
Walk the building on an ordinary day. Stay for a meal. Ask every question you have.
- 3
The clinical review
The community’s team looks at the medical records and tells you honestly whether it is the right fit.
- 4
Coverage, then moving in
Admissions confirms what insurance covers before arrival, and helps with the practical side of the first days.
Worth asking on a visit
Take this list with you. A good community will be glad you asked.
- 1Who is in the building overnight, and how many?
- 2Who would be my mother’s nurse, and how do I reach them?
- 3How will you tell us if something changes?
- 4What does a normal Tuesday look like here?
- 5Can we stay for a meal today?
- 6How does therapy work, and how often?
- 7What happens if her needs grow?
- 8What does our insurance cover, in writing?
Paying for it
What a stay costs and who pays depends on the kind of care, how long it lasts and the plan a person has. Ask for the whole picture in writing before you compare.
These are accepted at every one of our communities. Individual communities accept more, and each lists its own on its admissions page.
- AmeriHealth
- Ameritas Caritas
- Buckeye
- Buckeye Medicaid
- CareSource
- Cigna
- Molina
- Optum CCN - VA
- The Health Plan
- Workers Comp
Waiting on a Medicaid application? Call before ruling anything out. The admissions team will tell you what is possible.
Common questions
What is the difference between short-term rehabilitation and long-term care?
Short-term rehabilitation is a stay of days or weeks after a hospital visit, with physical, occupational or speech therapy aimed at going home. Long-term care is for people who live with us, with nursing care and help with daily life around the clock.
What is memory care?
A secured neighborhood for people living with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, with nurses on hand day and night and a daily routine built around them. Each community’s page says whether it has one.
Do all the communities offer the same care?
Every community provides skilled nursing, rehabilitation, long-term care, respite stays and hospice care. Some also have memory care or secured behavioral health. Each community’s page lists exactly what it offers.
Can we visit before deciding?
Yes, and we would encourage it. Call the community or send a note and they will arrange a time. Bring the person who would be living there, if they feel up to it.
How quickly can someone be admitted?
Every community takes admissions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. How fast it moves depends on the medical records and on confirming coverage. The admissions team at the community will tell you where things stand.
Can someone stay for a short while so a caregiver can rest?
Yes. Every community offers respite stays. Call the one nearest you to ask about availability.