Frequently Asked Questions

Q If my family member is coming from a hospital, what should the hospital and/or I provide to have my loved one admitted to Morningside House nursing home?
A PRI (Patient Review Instrument), Doctor’s or hospital referral, which includes: Doctor’s orders, history and physical, current chest X-ray, completed application, insurance/billing information, guardianship conservatorship information.

Q If my family is coming from home, what do I need to do to bring my family member into a nursing home?
A If the family member is coming from home, we will need specific paperwork completed. We will need to review medical information:
• Current physical within a 30 day period
• Information about normal, daily routines
• Current list of medications and doses (not the actual medications themselves)
• Any relevant legal documents (Advanced Directives, Health Care Proxy, Living Will,
Power of Attorney, Guardianship)

Q What personal belongings can we bring to make our loved one feel more at home? (All items are optional.)
A • TV and remote control
• Radio
• Pictures and other personal items
• Comforter
• Pictures and/or favorite knick knacks
• Chair or other reasonably sized furniture

Q How can I help my loved one make the transition to a nursing home?
A Our staff is available prior to admission for home visits and/or phone conversations.

Q When can I visit my loved one?
A While your loved one is in our facility, this is their home. Our general guideline is that you should visit them just as you would when they were at home—to us this means that you are welcome to visit your resident/loved one at any time—day or night.

Q What kind of activities do you have?
A We gear our activity programs to your loved one’s interests and abilities. There’s something going on most of the time, including group activities, one-on-one visits, special outings, and exercise sessions, Internet access, cable TV, which includes sports and entertainment channels, yoga and pet visits. The Recreation Staff will try to involve your loved one in their activities of interest.

Q How will my loved one participate in religious services?
A All religious services are conducted on site and can be made available on request.

Q When will my loved one be able to go home?
A More than 50% of our residents leave our facility as soon as they are deemed able by the physician to resume activities of daily life in the community. It’s not our intention to keep your loved one here one day longer than necessary.

Q Can I still take my family member out for special occasions? Can they leave for overnight or day trips?
• Overnight leaves are allowed but may be limited due to clinical needs. Medicaid has specific rules that we must follow. However, 30 overnights per year are the standard.
• Day trips are permitted—and even encouraged.
• For all outings, we ask that you please notify the facility in advance as to allow for any special arrangements that might be needed.

Q Will my loved one have a private room or a roommate?
A We do have some private rooms in our facilities, however many of our rooms are shared by two residents.

Q What is the cost of a nursing home stay?
A Our room rates are competitive with other nursing homes in the area. Portions of the residents’ care may be covered by Medicare, Medicaid and/or private pay insurance. Each case varies individually.

Q Do you accept Medicaid?
A Yes. Our nursing home accepts Medicaid.

Q What insurance do you accept?
A We accept most long-term care insurance payors.

Q Will Medicare pay for a nursing home stay?
A The Medicare benefit for a Nursing Home stay allows 100 days of coverage if specific criteria are met. You must have at least a three night hospital stay and qualify for skilled care. The first 20 days are paid 100%; days 21 through the 100 require a copay. Secondary insurance may cover a portion or all of the copay.

Q After my family member uses their Medicare days and we need to apply for Medicaid are they still able to stay here?
A Yes, they will still be able to stay in our facility. In addition, we will assist you with the Medicaid application process.

Q How do I apply for Medicaid?
A Morningside House staff will be happy to assist you with the application process. To be prepared, you will need documentation or proof of all assets. You will then need to call for appointment with your local Family Independence Agency. You will need these items:
• Recent ID
• Insurance cards
• Current bank statements
• Mortgage policy
• Life insurance policy
• Car title/registration
• Funeral contract
• Burial plot contract
• Annuity papers
• Social Security letter or copy of check
• Trust fund statement
• Retirement benefit check stub
• Disability check stub
• Veterans benefits letter
• Supplemental security income letter
• Savings bond/money market
• Proof of activity for last 36 months
• Insurance settlement
• Sale/transfer of property
• Lawsuit award
• Money given as gift

Q If the resident’s spouse is in the community, you will also need to provide the following:
A • Current property tax statement
• Homeowners insurance statement
• Utilities statement

Q Do you have physicians on staff?
A Our nursing home has a staff of physicians, as well as a Medical Director and Assistant Medical Director. In addition, we have ophthalmologists, podiatrists, audiologists, dentists and other medical consultants available in-house as needed.

Q Do you have licensed nurses on duty all the time?
A We are licensed by the federal government and the State of New York and meet all criteria for long term care. This requires that there be a licensed nurse available at all times or all shifts.

Q How progressive is your therapy department?
A Our therapy program is one of the most progressive in the metropolitan, New York area as we provide both Occupation Therapy and Physical Therapy services, seven days a week and up to two times per day. Speech Therapy and Audiology are also available. The resident’s care is overseen by the physician during the entire course of therapy.

Q Do you have a special Alzheimer’s wing?
A We have a specially designated wing for Residents with dementia as well as Alzheimer’s disease.

Q Does your staff treat pain aggressively?
A We have a “pain team” on site that is always available for assessment and treatment.

Q Will my loved one have access to other services after they are discharged?
A We provide a full continuum of services upon admission and after discharge.

FAQs derived from Having the Conversation about Long Term Care © Health Care Association of Michigan 2006.

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