The Welsh Home

Staffing Ratio is the number of residents each aide is responsible for during a shift. The State mandates a 1 STNA to 15 residents ratio; the Welsh Home strives for a 1 STNA to 8 residents ratio.

Medicare A is the government insurance program established in 1965 for people over 65 years of age or persons who meet other special criteria. It will pay for hospitalization costs while you are in the hsopital and skilled care in a nursing home when you leave the hospital and need rehabilitation. It is paid for by the contributions you made during your employment years. Medicare A must be elected when you turn 65; it is not automatic.

Medicare B is the government program for people over 65 years of age or persons who meet other special criteria. It will pay for 80% of expenses of doctor bills, rehabilitation, durable medical equipment, ancillary physicians services, e.g. podiatry, dental, audiology, optometry. At present the monthly cost is $96.40 (2011) (more for higher income individuals). Your secondary insurance, e.g. Aetna, AAPR, etc. generally pays the other 20%.

Medicare D is the prescription plan for people over the age of 65. It must be elected; it is not automatic. In the nursing home the plan you select must offer the medications you need. If you are a Medicaid recipient the Part D plan you select must be a dual eligible plan (covers both Medicare/Medicaid individuals).

Secondary Insurance is the supplemental insurance you carry to pay the daily co-pay ($141.50 for 2011) for days 21-100 of a Medicare A stay in a skilled care facility. It may also pay the 20% remaining after Medicare B has paid.

Skilled Care describes a care or service defined by Medicare delivered in a nursing facility, e.g. wound care, tube feeding, rehabilitation, etc. whose guidelines and qualifications are set by Medicare.

MDS stands for Minimum Data Set which is the assessment of a resident to obtain the data needed for care of that person. It is also the information that is sent to the government for payment of the care of the resident.

Care Conference means mandated quarterly meetings with the resident and/or family to share information re the status of the resident and his/her care plan.

Care Plans are the written goals for the resident care based on the MDS assessment.

Co-Pay is the amount of money you owe after insurances have paid their share.

Resource Payment is payment using your resources, i.e. Retirement income, Social Security, pensions, as a Medicaid recipient to contribute to the Medicaid expense.

Medicaid is a government social program established in 1965 to provide assistance to people whose income was minimal. To qualify for Medicaid your total assets must be $1,500 or less. However, if the spouse remains in the community, the minimum assets are higher to qualify for Medicaid.

An Advanced Directive is the written statement of your wishes in the event you can no longer make a decision for yourself. It includes naming a POA (Power of Attorney, Durable, Financial, Healthcare) who will manage your finances and your healthcare needs, and a written statement of your wishes regarding DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) status, i.e., if you wish to be resuscitated or if you do not wish to be resuscitated.

Hospice Care is a Medicare benefit that forfeits all active attempts to cure a disease when your prognosis is terminal. Hospice focuses on keeping you comfortable while supporting your final days.

Palliative Care is the use of medications and necessary supplies to maintain a comfort level during your final days.

Person Centered Care is the name of a new concept in caring for, and empowering people in a nursing home. It allows the resident to make choices for his/herself regarding when to get up, when to go to bed, to choose what they want to eat from a menu, make choices of what they want to wear, etc. Person Centered Care tries to deinstitutionalize the routines of the nursing home and make it as homelike as possible

Restorative Care is the nursing home program for people discharged from skilled care rehabilitation, e.g. physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy. The restorative program works daily to sustain and support maintenance of skills the person had acquired during rehabilitation. It also works to maintain current levels of function.

Nursing personnel includes RNs (Registered Nursing), LPNs (Licensed Practical Nurses), and STNAs (State Tested Nursing Assistants) who staff the nursing home 24 hours per day, 7 days a week.

You may keep your personal physician if he agrees to continue your care at the Welsh Home. If not, you may choose a physician from our provider list. Physicians utilities by the Welsh Home are available by phone 24 hours per day, 7 days a week.

Please check with your insurance provider regarding the coverage it offers.

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