Questions to ask when looking at care options
Posted on: February 3, 2023
- How are medications managed? Medications are provided for most residents thru our primary pharmacy provider. Medications are delivered to our homes in blister packs and dispensed to the residents at the prescribed times using a weekly medication organizer. All medications are stored in a locked medication closet.
- Does my Mom or Dad have to get up or go to bed at certain times?- No, the flexibility of our setting allows for residents to sleep late, go to bed early or eat when they want to.
- What types of medical caregivers will see my parents? Angels Care residents are seen every few weeks by a licensed medical provider, typically a Nurse Practitioner, with expertise in geriatric medicine. Angels Care also coordinates visits by a Podiatrist every 6-8 weeks which is paid for by the residents Medicare coverage. Residents receiving Hospice Care are seen at least once a week and often times more depending on the level of oversite required at that time as ordered by the resident’s primary care or hospice physician.
- Will our fees change-Angels Care has only raised our fees 1 time in our 8 year history. This was due to the rapid increase in costs of labor, food and supplies related to the Covid pandemic. We do not charge annual increases as many facilities do.
- Can my parents receive immunizations at Angels Care-Yes, we coordinate with various pharmacy providers for on-site injections each year the cost of which is billed by the provider.
- What is a typical meal like?-Angels Care staff prepare each meal from a prescribed menu. Many meals are family recipes or resident favorites from our years of experience creating meals from scratch. Resident preference can often be incorporated into our menu’s as well.
- My mom gets urinary tract infections periodically, how do you manage this?-Our staff is trained to recognize the signs of possible UTI’s. We constantly encourage residents to stay hydrated with water, juices and other beverages which help prevent UTI’s. If a UTI is suspected, a urine sample will be ordered by the resident’s medical provider and sent to the lab for testing and treatment if positive.
- Do you offer any lab services?-Angels Care works with the residents primary care provider to obtain specimen samples in an expedited fashion on site in our homes.
- Can I take my parents out for periods of time?-Families often will take a parent out for a meal, doctors appointment or hair appointments. We do not recommend taking residents out for extended periods of time with more advanced memory loss as it can create additional confusion and behaviors for the resident.
- What’s included in our monthly fees?-Your monthly fee includes all meals, snacks and beverages along with your private or semi private room; 24/7 on site caregivers; laundry and cleaning services as well as medication management and assistance from our staff with 1 or more of the activities of daily living. We do not provide skilled nursing services.
- What if my parent needs to go the hospital? Angels Care will coordinate discharge to a hospital for emergency purposes using local Fire and EMS departments. Residents are able to return to Angels Care many times the same day depending on the reason they are sent out. Families are notified by Angels Care or the Hospice Provider if a resident is sent out to the E.R for any reason.