TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

INTRODUCTION

 

You Need Legal Authority

Designation of Patient Advocate

Durable Power of Attorney

Trustee Successorship

Guardianship

Guardianship Or?

 

What Is and Is Not a Nursing Home?

– Assisted Living

– Nursing Home

 

How to Get Good Care in a Nursing Home

The Care Planning Process

How Care Planning Works in Practice

The MDS Report

What If There Are Problems?

 

The Nursing Home Contract

Advocate’s Tip: Have the Patient Sign the Admission Contract

Written Contract Required

Required Financial Disclosure.

Financial Admission Discrimination

The Responsible Party

Illegal Admission Requirements

No Third Party Guarantee

A Patient Advocate May Not Be Required

A Guardian May Not be Required

No Minimum Payment before Applying for Medicaid

No Required Deposit of Funds

 

The Rights of Nursing Home Residents

The Right to Achieve and Maintain the Highest Practicable Level of Functioning

The Right to Make Health Care Decisions

The Right to Be Free of Unnecessary Restraints

The Right to Be Free From Abuse

The Right to Accommodation of Individual Needs and Preferences

The Right to Independence, Dignity and Participation in All Activities

No Waiver of Rights

The Six and Only Reasons for Discharge

– Appeal of Discharge

Transfer to Hospital is NotDischarge

The Long Term Care Ombudsman

 

The Rights of the Medicare Patient

The Right of the Hospital Patient to Appropriate Placement on Discharge

The Right to Skilled Nursing Care in the Nursing Home

Special Note: Big 3 Auto Employees or Spouses – Two Year Skilled Care Benefit

Appeal Premature Termination of Medicare Coverage

How to Appeal Premature Termination

 

How to Pay for the Nursing Home Without Going Broke

What is Medicaid?

Do I lose my other insurance if I receive Medicaid Assistance?

Medicaid Tip: Purchase Additional Insurance

Why Seek Advice for Medicaid?

Exempt Assets and Countable Assets

Medicaid Rules for Married Couples

Case Study No. 1
Medicaid Planning for Married People

Case Study No. 2
Medicaid Planning for Married People

Case Study No. 3
Medicaid Planning for Single People

Case Study No. 4
A Trust for a Disabled Child

“I heard I can give away $10,000 per year. Can’t I?”

Case Study No. 5
Financial Gifts to Children

“Will I Lose My Home?”

Case Study No. 6
The $160,000 Mistake?

 

How to Select a Nursing Home

 

Listing of Nursing Homes in Southeast Michigan

 

Nursing Homes in the Tri-county Area

Nursing Homes Outside Metro-Detroit Area

 

Nursing Home Evaluation Checklists

 

APPENDIX

RESOURCES