WHERE DO I START?

This is one of the most commonly asked questions I receive throughout the day. Very seldom do we receive inquires from the patients themselves. This task of finding a facility is usually a loved one's responsibility. Prior to any illnesses in a family, what relationship would one have with a nursing home in their community? Likely none. The best place to start is with friends and family? Have they had any experiences in a local facility? What about your family doctor? Visit the facilities they recommend and even a few of your own, through the yellow pages or other advertisements.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR ON THE INITIAL TOUR

Always tour more than one facility. It is often advised that one should just drop in for a tour. I like to tell families that this is home to many people and strangers just wandering through their home can be scary. Always find a contact person at the facility. The first impression you receive from this person will set the tone for your tour and either provide you with a good feeling or uncertainty. As you walk through the facility, OBSERVE! Do residents look well groomed, happy, occupied? Is their any staff interaction? Acknowledge any residents you may pass, do they answer? Stop and strike up a conversation with a resident, casually ask them about their stay at the facility. Share your own experience. You may be pleasantly surprised at how much a resident knows!! Last but not least, is there an odor? Distinguish between a lingering odor and an accident that may have just occurred prior to your visit!! With these few tips in mind, I hope to see you soon at El Jen!

HOW DO I TRANSFER MY LOVED ONE FROM ANOTHER STATE?

With more and more people moving to Las Vegas each month, it's hard to leave a parent or loved one behind in a nursing home. El Jen has assisted families from Florida, New York, and as close as California in transferring their loved one to Las Vegas. Each facility has its own guidelines. At El Jen we try to make this transfer as simple as possible for everyone involved. Once you have chosen a facility have the transferring facility make contact with the admissions department. Information about your loved one should include a history and physical, medication list, nursing needs, and who is paying for the nursing home in the other state. Once an assessment by our admission department is complete and we feel confident that we can provide continuity of care, just make a date, transportation arrangements, and we'll do the rest! We provide transportation from the airport if necessary and assistance with any state or county applications upon admittance.

WHO PAYS FOR THE NURSING HOME CARE?

Most facilities accept Medicare, Medicaid, County Assistance, Veterans Assistance, Private funds, and private insurance. Determining who pays first, and for what and when can be tricky. Medicare has guidelines in determining when a stay is covered. Usually, but not always, a resident coming from an acute care facility after a three day qualifying stay is covered by Medicare for a period not to exceed 100 days. This is not a guaranteed coverage and certain levels of care must be met. Contact the facilities admission department for information specific to your loved one's needs for a more comprehensive assessment of Medicare coverage.

Financing

All of our rates are inclusive, except for medications and oxygen supplies. We are more than happy to work with any pharmacy to meet our resident's medication needs. Ancillary supplies, including diapers are provided at the facility at no extra charge. We accept most insurance plans for long term or respite care and contract with local Hospice agencies to provide comfort care and respite. We accept Medicaid, Medicare and County assistance programs and offer in house counseling to help financially plan for a resident's stay, whether long or short term.

Room rates and descriptions:

Please contact El Jen for rate information at (702) 645-2606 or email us at suzie@eljenhealthcare.com.