118 N. Peters Road
Knoxville , TN 37923
Phone: (423)-404-8370
Questions to ask the facility that you are considering for your loved one (primary elderly) to be transferred to and the responses that you should expect:
What are the normal visiting hours? How many people can visit at one time?
Visiting hours can vary depending on the type of unit the patient is being transferred to however, usually no more than 1 to 2 immediate family members are allowed to visit the patient initially.
Can the patient leave the facility to go out with family members and then return?
Normally if the transfer is being made to an extended care facility and the patient health enough to do so, the patient could possibly accompany family members or visitors off campus for a short time frame.
Can family or personal physicians see the patient at that facility?
If the patient is being transferred to an extended care type of facility, you want to make sure that the patient is able to continue to see their primary care physician, if necessary. If the care facility insists on the patient using it’s own physician or someone else, you will have to evaluate if that is acceptable.
Will the staff make sure the patient gets regular treatments needed such as Therapy, Dialysis and/or Doctor appointments? Is transportation available for this? Will staff wait throughout the outside appointments?
Most extended care facilities will be able to accommodate these necessities in caring for the patient however, you may want to be sure as to how much of this is your responsibility versus that of the facility.
Will the patient be in a private room? How much would have to paid for the patient to be in a private room
Most extended care facilities charge more for the benefit of the patient having a private room if a private room is available.
Will the patient have a regular nurse attending to their needs?
Many facilities have various schedules for their staff and the patient having a consistent nurse or care giver that they become familiar with may be a challenge. You may want to clarify this and also learn how much the nursing or care giving team may depend on the family to provide an extra “measure” of attention to the patient.
How often do staff check on each patient?
This is another important consideration. Most hospitals try to make sure that the patient is visibly checked on by the nursing staff at least once an hour. Other facilities will probably not use this standard. You may want to clarify this up front.
Who do you have to call to find out anything about the patient’s care?
Most facilities want to communicate with one primary family member regarding anything pertaining to the patient’s care. You may want to consider who that person should be before admitting or transferring the patient to any facility.
What activities will the patient be involved in during their stay?
Most extended care or rehab facilities will go over these items upon admission or transfer. You might want to know what your patient or loved one will want to be involved with.
What precautions are being taken for Covid patients or employees
In today’s environment, this is a prime consideration and the facility should outline this in detail to you. Elderly patients must be especially careful as many facilities have to provide special isolation procedures should someone inside be tested positive.
Will the patient have access to a phone whenever needed?
Every facility has different procedures when it comes to availability and utilization of phones for communication. Some facilities may have phones available and some facilities may have specific procedures regarding using personal mobile phones.
Is there a Chaplain available to the patient?
Many patients find this to be a prime consideration and might want to know what pastoral care is available at the facility or what process is in place to have their own preference of chaplaincy visit them.
How many Medicare days will the patient have left to cover expenses before they have to pay out of pocket?
For most extended care facilities, there is a policy in place as to how this may work and is normally communicate to the guarantor of the care expenses at the outset.
Do you have a Medical Director on staff that makes rounds on all patients?
It would be helpful for you to know who the Medical Director of the facility is and if they oversee all patient care delivery there. Also, how will this physician relate to the other physicians who are overseeing the care of this patient.
Can other care givers or aides be brought in to sit with the patient during the day?
This is an important question to ask because you may want someone sitting with the patient at certain times. The facility care givers or family members and visitors cannot always be with the patient in their room at an extended care facility 24 hours. The patient or the family might someone else to be available.