Today’s long-term care facilities offer home-like environment

Brought to you by MERCY HEALTH

One of the positive evolutions of health care transformation in recent years has been the improved look, feel and care of modern long-term care facilities.

Gone are perceptions of the past, such as poor living conditions or inadequate care.

“Facilities today are not institutionalized anymore,” said Melessa Scattino, executive director, Mercy Health Long-term Care. “We offer person-centered care and strive to achieve that each day.”

Mercy Health-Youngstown operates two long-term care facilities in the Mahoning Valley: Assumption Village and Humility House. There are two assisted-living facilities, as well, the Marian Assisted Living Center on Assumption’s campus and Humility House Assisted Living.

When should a person consider long-term care?

“Some residents in the community might not be doing well on their own,” said Amanda Miller, nursing home administrator, Humility House. “When they come to our facilities, they can make new friends, have constant stimulation and support. Sometimes, it’s the best thing for the resident both medically and socially.”

Each living area is designed to encourage as much independence and home-like setting as possible. Throughout the Mercy Health facilities, residents can enjoy robust activity programs that fit their interests. And meal options that suit their tastes.

“When a resident first arrives, we work with them and their family to know everything about them,” Miller said. “From what time they like to wake up to their favorite foods, we want to make sure they are completely relaxed and enjoy their new home.”

Commonly, families may feel a sense of guilt when placing a loved one into a long-term care facility. But, that often changes after they see for themselves what our long-term care facility environments look like, Scattino said.

“Once a family makes the decision, they love it because they have peace of mind knowing their loved one is safe and receiving the highest quality, most compassionate care possible,” Scattino said.

Referrals for long-term care can come from families, physicians or a hospital. If a referral comes from a physician, health insurance will usually cover a certain number of days.

If a skilled need, such as rehabilitation or IV antibiotic therapy, is required, health insurance will usually pick up coverage for a certain amount of time as well. For assisted-living facilities, long-term care insurance, private pay and Medicaid are most commonly used.

For those looking at long-term care for their loved ones, there are convenient, online options available to analyze facilities, such as the website medicare.gov/nursinghomecompare, which lists and rates nursing homes certified by Medicare and Medicaid.

“Consumers can visit the site and see their latest health inspections, recent reviews and star ratings for the facilities,” Scattino said.

Miller also recommends visiting the various facilities, and doing so unannounced, to see overall care.

“You can pop into the facilities you’re interested in and tour them,” she said. “Go during meal time and get a feel for the cleanliness, look at how well the residents are groomed, and make sure there are balanced meal options.”

For Scattino and Miller, providing a comfortable and safe environment for all seniors is vital.

“Overall quality of care is very important to us and we hold it in high regard,” Scattino said.

For information on long-term care, visit www.mercy.com.