Information Guide and
Frequently Asked Questions
Holiday Hill, Inc.
The
purpose of this booklet is to provide you with all the information you will
need in order to make your stay with us as easy and pleasurable as possible. We
have tried to compile this booklet in such a way that it will remain a reliable
source of information during your entire stay and answer as many of your
questions as possible, even before you think of them. Since we can’t fit everything in here, we have included
enough contact information so that you can easily identify the people who best
can assist you and get you the answers you need.
Who You Gonna Call?
Sooner
or later you will have questions or problems and you should know the best
person to ask or report such matters to. Below you will see each person’s title
and/or department of responsibility, extension #, and email address (if
applicable).
Holiday Hill--------------------------------------------325-625-4157
Administrator--------------------------------------------
admin@holidayhill.net-----------------------------------------Ext.
18
Director
of Nurses (D.O.N.) ----------------------Shelley Robinett
don1@holidayhill.net------------------------------------------Ext.
20
Asst.
D.O.N. ------------------------------------------
don2@holidayhill.net-----------------------------------------
Ext. 21
Asst.
Administrator-----------------------------------Norma Kenney
admin2@holidayhill.net--------------------------------------
Ext. 14
Assessment
Coordinator-----------------------------Tena Rhoads
don3@holidayhill.net-----------------------------------------
Ext. 24
Business
Office Manager-----------------------------Jean Hoysa
finance@holidayhill.net---------------------------------------
Ext. 25
Billing
Manager----------------------------------------Kelly Cope
billing@holidayhill.net---------------------------------------
Ext. 10
Food
Service Supervisor-----------------------------Melissa Cortez
dietary@holidayhill.net----------------------------------------Ext.
16
Activity
Director---------------------------------------Sylvia Molina
activity@holidayhill.net--------------------------------------
Ext. 17
Facility
Operations Manager----------------------------Rick Turner
fixit@holidayhill.net------------------------------------------
Ext. 19
How do I call and talk to my (Mom/Dad)?
The
best way to talk with your loved one over the phone and have some privacy is to
call one of our cordless phones that are kept at the Nurse’s Station. When you
call the nursing staff should answer the phone, tell them who you want to talk
to and they will take the phone to that person wherever they are in the
building. These phone numbers are:
325-625-2454, 325-625-3035
Also,
you can call our main phone 325-625-4157, dial ext. 11 or 12 to reach the
Nurse’s Station and someone can bring your loved one to the nearest phone.
You
may want to consider getting a private phone line put in your loved one’s room.
How can I get a private phone in (Mom/Dad)’s room?
There
are phone jacks in every room but the phone service can only be hooked up by
contacting the local phone company. Holiday Hill does not charge anything for
having a phone in the room. All phone charges will be between you and the local
phone company. If you already have a local phone number you may get that same
number transferred here. You will need to supply your own phone and we suggest
one that has large numbers. Programming your family’s numbers into speed dial
makes it easier for some residents to call you so keep this in mind if you
purchase a phone. The local phone company contact information is as follows:
Verizon
1-800-483-4000
What do we need to bring?
Mostly,
you should bring small items that will make your loved one feel somewhat at
home. Hang family pictures on the wall, small plants, put up shelves, knick
knacks, maybe a T.V., etc. The room size is limited and should not be
overcrowded because of the dangers of falling, need for prompt evacuation in
case of emergency, and the need of accessibility for routine cleaning.
We
provide everything they need except for clothing. Good footwear is important.
Be sure to have shoes that fit well and won’t slip on our tile floors. We provide
linens, towels, toiletries, hygiene items, over-the-counter medications, etc.
However, everything we use is generic, but good quality, products. If you
prefer a different brand of something then you may supply your own product. For
example you may prefer “Crest” toothpaste or “Polygrip” denture adhesive.
Whatever you do bring here be sure that it is clearly and permanently marked
with your loved ones name so that we identify who it belongs to. We are not
responsible for any lost, misplaced or stolen items but you should report any
such occurrences to the D.O.N. so that we can take appropriate measures to
correct these losses.
What kind of clothes should I bring?
Closet
and drawer space is limited so try to keep the number of outfits you bring below
20. We wash everyday and return their clothes to their room the next day, and
sometimes the same day therefore they do not have to have a great deal of
clothing. We realize that some people can’t stand to leave behind their
wardrobe so try to be reasonable in what you bring. All clothes should be
clearly and permanently marked with their name on each garment so that we
can get it back in the correct drawer or closet. We do make mistakes sometimes
and clothes do get misplaced or eaten by the laundry monster. If you notice
that a garment is missing please report this to nurse in charge of your care
and have her take you to speak with the laundry personnel about you problem. If
this continues to be a problem then report this to the Facility Operations
Manager and/or the administrator.
You
may choose to have someone in your family do your laundry. If so they still
need to have your name on each garment and provide a laundry basket in your
room for you dirty clothes and it needs to be picked-up at least weekly.
Will I need to keep any money?
The
only places to spend money in the nursing home are the vending machines and the
beauty shop. However, it is not a good ideal to keep more than $5 on your
person or in your room. We provide the service of a trust fund in the business
office which works much like your own personal bank account at the nursing
home. You can deposit and withdraw your money anytime the office is open. All
you have to do is sign your name or mark your initials.
What about my valuables?
Valuables
items such as jewelry, important papers, credit cards, family heirlooms, should
be left at home or with family or friends. We can not be responsible for lost
or stolen items.
Of
course you need to bring your hearing aide, dentures and eyeglasses if you need
them. However, sometimes things get dropped and broken, misplaced, or lost.
Again, we will assume no responsibility for such items. Please help us by
keeping these items properly labeled, away from trash cans, never left on food
trays, and in their proper containers.
Please
report any lost or broken items to your charge nurse so that we may assist you
in the recovery or repair process. If these circumstances continue to recur
then please report the occurrence to the D.O.N. and/or administrator so that
appropriate action can be taken to prevent future occurrences.
Can we bring a T.V.?
Yes
and the cable T.V. service is free! You will get about 28 channels. If you want
to upgrade your cable service you will need to contact the Rapid Cable at
625-2923. They will bill you for any extra services you may want. Almost every
room has two people per room. Sometimes it is tough when each person has a T.V.
We ask that either you would share the use of one T.V. or it might be a good
idea to purchase headphones to plug into your set. This way the noise will not
bother your roommate or anyone else.
Can I eat my meals in my room?
Yes,
but we prefer that you would come and eat in the dining room. If you come to
the dining room you have the opportunity to visit with other people, have
better food choice at our buffet and salad bar, and be better observed by our
staff in case of choking or illness. If you have any comments or complaints
about the quality of the food or service please direct them to our food service
supervisor. We are happy to make any improvements that will promote good
nutrition and eating.
Can someone eat with me?
Yes!
Please notify anyone in the kitchen how many guest trays you need and where you
would like them sent. If there is not enough room for your guest at your
regular seating we can set up a table and chairs in the chapel for your dining.
Just let either your charge nurse or the facility operations manager know what
you will need and they will take care of the arrangements.
Is smoking allowed?
Yes,
but only on the patio area in back of the facility. All residents have to be
supervised when they smoke and they are not allowed to keep any cigarettes or
lighters with them or in their rooms. We have a set schedule where we invite
all smokers to a smoke break about every 2 hours through out the day. Please
see your charge nurse for a copy of the schedule. Nursing keeps all smoking
items locked in a safe area. They will let you or your designated
representative know when your cigarettes are low and you need to get some more.
Family or visitors may take you to the patio for extra smoke breaks. Just see
your charge nurse in order to get your cigarettes but please remember to return
them when you return inside the building.
Does Medicare pay for my stay in the nursing home?
Medicare
will only pay for short term stays
in the nursing home and only if you have had an acute stay in the hospital for
at least three days within the last 30 days. These kinds of stays are referred
to as skilled nursing facility (SNF) days. They are intended to be used to help
you recover from a serious illnesses or injury. This kind of stay usually
involves therapy and more intensive nursing services. The administrator and
billing manager can provide you with more details.
After I sign in to the nursing home will I lose my
social security check?
There
are two other pay types, beside Medicare, to pay for your nursing home care.
The first way is to pay from your own pocket. The second is through the
Medicaid Program. You are expected to use whatever financial means you have to
pay for your care, income, savings, CD’s, etc. The cost for your services will
run from $2500.00 per month and higher depending on how much care you will be
requiring. Some people may have purchased some long term care insurance that
will help them with their expenses. Regardless, of your situation your social
security check will continue to come to you the same as it always has. This
will not change unless you contact the social security office and request
something different from them.
What do I do if I don’t have the money to pay for the
nursing home?
If
you do not have the money, financial means, or resources to pay for your care
then you must apply for help from Medicaid. Do not confuse Medicaid with Medicare.
They are not the same and not related. Medicaid requires you to have both a
financial and medical need before they will help you pay for your nursing home
services. Very Important! – Even if
you are broke and poor you must have to be determined by the Texas Department
of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) to have a “medical need” to be eligible
for assistance with Medicaid. Once qualified for Medicaid you will be required
to submit payment to the nursing home each month whatever amount the DADS
caseworker determines. You will only be left with $60.00 of your income each
month. This amount is referred to as your “personal needs allowance.” After you
have submitted your payment to the nursing home, Medicaid will then pay the
nursing home the remainder of the balance needed to pay for your care. You must
also be enrolled in a Medicare Part D Plan in order for your prescriptions
drugs to be covered since you will not be left with any other money to pay for
them. You can begin your Medicaid application process by contacting the local
Medicaid eligibility caseworker at:
Texas Department of Aging and Disability
Services
114
Phone 325-625-4183
Fax 325-625-5438
What type of screening is done on the staff before you
hire them?
We
run a criminal background check through the D.P.S.. Certain criminal offenses
prevent us from hiring individuals but some minor offenses will not prevent
them from being eligible for employment. We also run a sex offender check and
they must pass a drug test. We also do
random monthly, suspicious behavior and post unusual accident drug testing. If
the prospective employee has a license or certification we run checks to see if
there are any charges or complaints against their license.
What sort of rights do I have while living here?
You,
the resident, do not give up any rights when you enter a nursing facility. The
facility must encourage and assist you to fully exercise your rights. Any violation
of these rights is against the law. It is against the law for any nursing
facility employee to threaten, coerce, intimidate or retaliate against you for
exercising your rights.
If
anyone hurts you, threatens to hurt you, neglects your care, takes your
property, violates your dignity, you have the right to file a complaint with
the facility administrator or with the Texas Department of Aging and Disability
Services by calling 1-800-458-9858.
You
have the right to:
- all care necessary for
you to have the highest possible level of health;
- safe, decent and clean
conditions;
- be free from abuse and
exploitation;
- be treated with
courtesy, consideration, and respect;
- be free from
discrimination based on age, race, religion, sex, nationality, or
disability and to practice your own religious beliefs;
- privacy, including
privacy during visits and telephone calls;
- complain about the
facility and to organize or participate in any program that presents
residents’ concerns to the administrator of the facility;
- have facility
information about you maintained as confidential;
- retain the services of
a physician of your choice, at your own expense or through a health care
plan, and to have a physician explain to you, in language you understand, your
complete medical condition, the recommended treatment, and the expected
results of the treatment, including reasonably expected effects, side
effects, and risks associated with psychoactive medications;
- participate in
developing a plan of care, to refuse treatment, and to refuse to
participate in experimental research;
- a written statement or
admission agreement describing the services provided by the facility and
the related charges;
- manage your own
finances or to delegate that responsibility to another person;
- access money and
property you have deposited with the facility and to an accounting of your
money and property that are deposited with the facility and of all
financial transactions made with or on behalf of you;
- keep and use personal
property, secure from theft or loss;
- not be relocated
within the facility, except in accordance with nursing facility
regulations;
- receive visitors;
- receive unopened mail
and to receive assistance in reading or writing correspondence;
- participate in
activities inside and outside the facility;
- wear your own clothes;
- discharge yourself
from the facility unless you have been adjudicated mentally incompetent;
- not be discharged from
the facility, except as provided in nursing facility regulations;
- be free from any
physical or chemical restraints imposed for the purposes of discipline or
convenience and not required to treat your medical symptoms;
- receive information
about prescribed psychoactive medication from the person who prescribes
the medication or that person’s designee, to have any psychoactive
medications prescribed and administered in a responsible manner, as
mandated by the Health and Safety Code, SS242.505, and to refuse to
consent to the prescription of psychoactive medications; and
- place an electronic
monitoring device in your room that is owned and operated by you or
provided by your guardian or legal representative.
Your
rights may be restricted only to the extent necessary to protect you or another
person from danger or harm or to protect a right of another resident,
particularly those relating to privacy and confidentiality.
Am I permitted to leave the facility whenever I want?
Yes,
this is your right. You should always be escorted by someone who is able to
help you as necessary and guard your safety. Always notify your charge nurse
before leaving the building so we can know when you expect to return and send
any necessary medications with you. Also, promptly notify your charge nurse
upon your return. Rules that govern all Medicaid recipients only allow for a
resident to be absent from the facility for a maximum of three days. Then you
must be here at least for 24 hrs. before leaving on another pass. Private pay
residents may be out of the facility up to a maximum of 30 days. Applicable
“Bed Hold” fees will be incurred for holding your bed when absent from the
facility on overnight stays. Please
refer to the billing manager or administrator for the details.
Can my friends and family bring me food, snacks or
drinks from outside?
Yes, but this information
should be reported to the charge nurse so that each resident’s dietary intake
and nutrition can be monitored as necessary.
How will I get to my Dr. appointments?
The
nursing staff will assist in scheduling, and arranging for transportation to
and from medical appointments and hospital transfers. Families are encouraged
to take or accompany residents to appointments. However, we will provide our
van, with the wheelchair lift, driver and necessary staff in order to safely
transfer all residents to medical appointments. There is no additional charge
for this service.
How often and when may my family and friends visit me?
You
may have visitors as often and whatever times you would like. The only exception
is we ask that your visits not be disruptive to your roommate or other
residents. The lobby, courtyard and chapel are available to anyone wishing to
have more private visits.
What is there to do all day besides sit in my room?
We
schedule at least 2 interesting and exciting group activities everyday around
mid morning and mid afternoon. Everyone is invited to participate. We also have
in room visitation for those folks that do not wish to get out or participate
in our group activities. We provide every resident with a calendar each month
that shows all times and types of activities scheduled. There is a large screen
T.V. available to all residents that has some old movie channels. We usually
have flowers and vegetable gardens for those interested in tending to them. We
schedule sight seeing bus rides, picnics, zoo trips, and many more excursions.
Some people get out and walk around the facility, feed birds, water grass, feed
the deer. Some folks enjoy helping fold laundry, peel vegetables, sweep floors
or swat flies. We will help you to do anything you wish as long as it’s not
illegal. Just because you are in a nursing home doesn’t mean you’re nearly
dead, so we really push and encourage everyone to get up and get busy with
something. It is to easy to get depressed if you aren’t involved with someone
or something so it is very important to get involved with something you enjoy!
Local Dentist Information
Dr. James Anders, DDS
310 West Pecan
325-625-4243
Dr. Lawrence Thompson, DDS
209 West Pecan
325-625-3535
We
are required to obtain the name of your preferred dentist and place it in the
medical record. We also must offer to schedule your loved one a yearly dental
examine. We are not liable for the cost of any dental care and all charges are
the responsibility of the resident and resident’s family. We will assist in
making any appointments you desire and will assist in providing transportation
as necessary. Good dental health is important because it is closely related to
the ability to receive proper nutrition. Even if the person wears dentures they
may experience problems with gums or improper fit of their dentures and cause
discomfort or pain.
Notice of Private Information Practices
Uses and disclosures of health information
This notice describes how medical
information about you may be used and disclosed and how you can get access to
this information. Please review it carefully.
We
use health information about you for treatment, to obtain payment for
treatment, for administrative purposes, and to evaluate the quality of care
that you receive.
We
may use or disclose identifiable health information about you without your
authorization for several other reasons. Subject to certain requirements, we
may give out health information without your authorization for public health
purposes, for auditing purposes, for research studies, and for emergencies. We
provide information when otherwise required by law, such as for law enforcement
in specific circumstances. In any other situation, we will ask for your written
authorization for using and disclosing any identifiable health information
about you. If you choose to sign an authorization to disclose information, you
can later revoke that authorization to stop any future uses and disclosures.
We
have a detailed Notice of Privacy Practices which more fully explains your
rights and our obligations under the law. We may change our policies at any
time. Before we make a significant change in our policies, we will change our
notice and post the new notice on our bulletin board. You can also request a
copy of our notice at any time. For more information about our privacy
practices, contact the person listed below.
Individual rights
In
most cases, you have the right to look at or get a copy of health information
about you that we use to make decisions about you. If you request copies, we
will charge you a reasonable fee for each page. We will accommodate reasonable
requests you may have for health information to be communicated by alternate
means or at alternate locations. You also have the right to receive a list of
instances where we have disclosed health information about you for reasons
other than treatment, payment or related administrative purposes. If you
believe that information in your record is incorrect or if important
information is missing, you have the right to request that we correct the
existing information or add the missing information.
You
may request in writing that we not use or disclose your information for
treatment, payment and administrative purposes except when specifically
authorized by you, when required by law, or in emergency circumstances. We will
consider your request but are not legally required to accept it. We will notify
you if we are unable to agree to a requested restriction.
Complaints
If
you are concerned that we have violated your privacy rights, or you disagree
with a decision we made about access to your records, you may contact the
person listed below. A complaint will not result in retaliation. You also may
send a written complaint to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The person listed below can provide you with the appropriate address upon
request.
Our legal duty
We
are required by law to protect the privacy of your information, provide this
notice about our information practices, and follow the information practices
that are described in this notice.
If you have any questions or complaints, please
contact:
Greg Whitten, Administrator of
Holiday Hill, Inc.
325-625-4157
Ext 18
Nondiscrimination Policy
In
accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and its implementing
regulation, Holiday Hill, Inc. will not directly or through contractual arrangements,
discriminate on the basis of race, color or national origin in its admissions
or its provision of services and benefits, including assignments or transfers
or referrals to or from the agency/facility. Staff privileges (if appropriate)
are granted without regard to race, color, or national origin.
In
accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and its
implementing regulation, Holiday Hill, Inc. will not directly or through
contractual arrangements, discriminate on the basis of disability in
admissions, access, treatment or employment. The administrator is designated as
the coordinator for the implementation of this policy.
In
accordance with the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 and its implementing
regulation, Holiday Hill, Inc. will not directly or through contractual or
other arrangements, discriminate on the basis of age in the provision of
services, unless age is a factor necessary to normal operations or the
achievement of any statutory objective.
Who else to call for other help, complaints or
information!
Ombudsman
An
ombudsman is a specially trained and certified individual who advocates for
quality care in
An
ombudsman:
- Advocates for
residents’ rights and quality care
- Helps protect the
health, safety, welfare and rights of residents
- Resolves residents’
complaints
- Educates consumers and
may provide technical assistance to providers
- Provides information
to the public
An
ombudsman can assess the resources of the State LTC Ombudsman Program and
various other state and local regulatory agencies to help resolve complaints
and concerns.
What can families do to help assure quality of care?
- Tell staff about your
relative – His/Her life, interest, habits, beliefs, likes/dislikes. etc.
- Help create a feeling
of home – Furnish the new space to reflect the home where they lived
- Be visible and
involved – Frequent visits and active communication with the resident and
the staff can create good working relationships.
- Know who’s who on staff
– Identify key staff who can answer your questions.
- Understand standards
of care – Facilities must provide services in a way that will help each
resident live to his/her fullest potential – physically, mentally, and
emotionally. Know the rights of the resident.
- Know the facility –
Review the most recent survey report which should be prominently
displayed. Check the resources listed below.
- Join a family council
– A united voice is powerful and can be effective in promoting better
care.
- Get to know your
ombudsman – The ombudsman is the resident’s advocate and is a good source
of information and help with nursing homes, residents’ rights, eligibility
criteria and other services for the elderly.
When should an ombudsman be called?
If
a move to a place providing LTC is being considered, an ombudsman can share
information about the process. After admission, if there are any problems or
differences between facility staff and residents, the family should try to work
with staff to resolve issues whenever possible. When resolution is not
happening, or when you are unsure about what to do next, call 1-800-252-2412
and talk to the local ombudsman. An ombudsman will assess the concerns and
recommend possible courses of action. Often, the ombudsman can resolve the problem
without involving the other groups or agencies. Sometimes, the resident council
or family support group is involved in the resolution. When the ombudsman can’t
resolve the problem, or when it involves abuse or neglect, the complaint is
referred to the state’s Long-Term Care Regulatory agency or to another
appropriate agency. In all situations, the complaint is handled confidentially
and information is not released without approval of the resident or legal
guardian.
1-800-252-2412
Long-Term Care Regulatory Services
Complaints & Customer Services
1-800-458-9858
Find and Compare
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Nursing Home Compare
1-800-633-4227
Adult Protective Services
Financial Exploitation in LTC Facilities
Abuse and Neglect in the Community
1-800-252-5400
Texas Attorney General
Medicaid Fraud Control
1-800-252-8011