North Carolina's First Elder Law Firm

What do you know about nursing homes? Take the Nursing Home Quiz below.

True or False?

1. A nursing home resident's family can visit at any time.
2. Once a resident fails to make progress in therapy, Medicare cannot pay for nursing home care.
3. If a nursing home resident is hospitalized, the nursing home must readmit him at the end of his hospitalization.

Answers:

1. True. Federal nursing home law exempts family members from visiting hour restrictions.
2. False. A lack of progress does not necessarily mean that Medicare Part A payment should end; however, residents frequently are told that a day or two without progress means that therapy and Medicare Part A payment must be terminated.
3. True, but only if the resident is Medicaid-eligible. Yet many nursing homes ignore the readmission rights of Medicaid-eligible residents.

For more information like this, visit www.nsclc.org (National Senior Citizens Law Center).

TIPS TO MAKE MEALS MORE ENJOYABLE FOR ALZHEIMER’S AND DEMENTIA VICTIMS.

You should see the numerous tips to help make mealtimes more comfortable for victims of dementia and their caregivers. They were published by the National Institute of Aging. Here are a few of those tips:
1. Maintain familiar routines and rituals, but be flexible and adapt to the person's changing needs. 2. Minimize distractions during mealtimes. For example, turn off the television or radio, and eliminate unneeded items from the table. 3. Offer appealing foods that have familiar flavors, varied textures, and different colors, and give the person opportunities to make choices. 4. Make nutritious finger foods and nutrient-rich homemade shakes or shake products (unless the person is lactose intolerant) available throughout the day. 5. In the earlier stages of dementia, be aware of the possibility of overeating. If this occurs, provide a balanced diet, limit snacks, and offer engaging activities as alternatives to eating. The rest of the tips can be found on the NIA’s website http://www.nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers/ResearchInformation/Newsletter Alzheimer’s Disease Education and Referral Center ADERC 14 Connections 2006.