Q. When it is time to consider care options for your parents?
Assisted living is a good option for people who need more help with daily living that can include help with medication. Some assisted living communities consist of apartment style homes while others provide a room, which may or may not be private.
Most communities provide a large dining area and many common areas including outdoor patios for fresh air.
A nursing home may be a good choice if both medical and personal care needs have become too great to handle at home or in another senior living community. This may be due to a recent hospitalization, or a chronic illness, which has gradually been worsening. Your parent needs a higher level of care temporarily after a hospitalization, but it’s anticipated you will be able to return to home or another community after a period of time.
Q. Are there specific visiting hours?
While visitors are usually required to sign in and out for security purposes, there are no restrictions on when family members can visit residents in their home. After ‘business hours’, the exterior doors to communities are locked and visitors can use a key if they were issued one upon their family member’s move-in.
Q. How much clothing should I bring?
We recommend at least seven complete outfits. Appropriate clothing is usually considered to be slacks, shirts or tops, dresses, sweatsuits, sweater, nightgown/sleepwear, and underwear. Shoes or slippers should have nonslip soles.
As a general rule, clothing should be roomy and have large enough openings that they can be put on and removed with a minimum of stress to both the resident and the clothing.
- Personal laundry service is provided.
- Clothing should be machine washable and dryable.
- Each item of clothing should be indelibly marked with the resident’s name (first initial and last name).
- Families should expect to assist in maintaining the resident’s wardrobe.
Q. Can personal items or valuables be brought into the community?
Residents and families are encouraged to personalize their room with pictures, plants, mementos, and other items to make for a homey atmosphere. A favorite chair should be of a vinyl or leather type material. We discourage residents from keeping valuable items, such as expensive jewelry and large sums of money, in their rooms. We cannot take responsibility for such items. Some residents with varying degrees of dementia may not recognize the value of an item and may unintentionally discard or misplace it.
Q. How should mail be addressed?
Please be sure to include the resident’s first and last name when sending mail to our location. All personal mail is delivered unopened to each resident. Upon resident or family request, helpful staff or volunteers can assist with opening and reading mail.
Q. If I am not sure of the care and services available for my family, what should I do and who should I call?
Making the decision as to how much care is needed can be difficult. That’s why seeking a physician’s assistance, along with counseling by qualified professionals, is appropriate. At Heritage of Elmwood, we have experienced staff available to help make an assessment and discuss your options with you and your family. By doing so, we can help you determine the best community for your situation and care level. In addition, our staff is able to help you with any necessary paperwork and financial information.
Q. What is intermediate care? Does Heritage of Elmwood offer this?
Intermediate care is appropriate for persons who may need some nursing intervention, but not on a continuous basis. Rehabilitation programs, activities and personal care assistance are available, and the care is provided under the direction of a physician. Heritage of Elmwood is able to offer intermediate care as appropriate. This will be assessed on a case by case basis.
Q. What is skilled nursing care?
Skilled nursing care is appropriate when the resident needs ongoing nursing intervention and supervision following an illness or a chronic condition. It is also appropriate for short-term intensive physical, occupational or speech rehabilitation therapy. The resident’s care is under the direction of a physician.
Q. How does an assisted living community differ from a nursing home?
Nursing homes are designed to care for individuals who are unable to care for themselves and have numerous healthcare requirements. Assisted living communities are designed to help persons who are able to care for themselves except for a few everyday activities. Our goal is to create an environment for each resident to maintain his or her independence for as long as possible. They offer help with activities of daily living (ADLs), such as: preparing meals, bathing, taking medications, dressing and performing household chores. In addition, our assisted living communities may also be appropriate for those who may be experiencing some memory problems, which interfere with their ability to manage ADLs on a regular basis.
Rehabilitation
Q. What services do you offer?
Our team can provide continued assessment and treatment, nutritional support, assistance with self-care and activities of daily living, if needed.
In order to meet the needs of each individual at every stage of his or her recovery, our communities provide a wide range of rehabilitation services. We can assist with physical, cognitive, psychosocial and/or communication impairments while our rehabilitation services include nursing, physical, occupational and speech therapy. Our personalized treatment plan addresses unique recovery needs to help meet your loved one’s goals. This team approach is in place to help improve everyone’s quality of life. You are what matters most.
Heritage of Elmwood provides short-term rehabilitation patients the care necessary for clinical needs and to improve quality of life.
Q. Why choose our rehab services?
Your admission begins with your discharge plan home. Our primary focus is on accelerating the healing process and returning you home following a successful rehab stay. Our excellent staff of experienced therapists work with you throughout your stay and share your goal of a successful rehab. We have a therapy gym designed and equipped to meet your therapy treatment needs and we conduct a safety assessment of your home prior to discharge.
Q. What is inpatient rehab?
Your timely return to your own home and lifestyle is the ultimate goal of Heritage of Elmwood’s inpatient rehabilitation program.
Whether you’re recovering from a recent hospitalization or simply looking to regain functional abilities, our interdisciplinary team of licensed physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists works together with you and your doctor to optimize your health and functionality.
If longer-term therapy is appropriate, we offer complete restorative and maintenance programs to facilitate independence and enhance quality of life in a supportive atmosphere.
- Our Inpatient Rehab Department offers:
- Excellent staffing ratio exceeding Medicare recommendations
- The most cost-effective rehab program in the Chippewa Valley
- Discharge planning
- Patient/family conferences and education
- Therapy available seven days a week
- Peace of mind from our continuum of care
Q. What is outpatient rehab?
After suffering an illness or injury, effective rehabilitation can be the key to restoring or maximizing function and enjoyment in your daily life. When appropriate treatment includes physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech-language therapy, Heritage of Elmwood has an outpatient rehab program customized to work specifically with you and your doctor.
Our therapists utilize state-of-the-art medical equipment and develop specific treatment plans to address problem areas including:
- stroke or other neurological diagnoses
- arthritis
- lower back pain
- injury or surgery to the back, hip, knee, etc.
- illness that impairs function like CHF or COPD
- muscle strains, tendonitis/ligament strains
- limb fractures
- limb ligament or tendon repairs
- shoulder injuries, including rotator cuff tears
- voice disorders
- speech-language deficits
- traumatic brain injury
- reduced breath capacity
- laryngeal trauma
- swallowing/chewing deficits
Ultimately, Heritage of Elmwood’s outpatient rehabilitation enables you to participate more fully in the activities that bring you daily enjoyment and satisfaction. We have already helped so many residents regain function, independence, and confidence in themselves. Contact us today to find the expertise and encouragement to help restore your wellbeing.
Q. How do I pay for my care?
- Medicare
- Medicaid
- Private Insurance
- Medicare Advantage Plans
- Private Pay
- Family Care
During the assessment and admission process, payer sources and coverage details are verified.
Q. Are you accredited?
Heritage of Elmwood is licensed through the state of Wisconsin as a skilled nursing facility.