Frequently Asked Questions

Please see our Financial Information page for answers to many questions about Medicare, Medicaid, insurance, and payments.

Skilled nursing is comprehensive, 24-hour care delivered by licensed doctors, nurses and physician extenders in a residential setting. Skilled nursing services can include any of the following:

• Post-surgical care,
• Orthopedic and joint replacement rehab
• Post-stroke rehabilitation
• IV therapies
• Occupational therapies
• Speech therapy
• Wound care
• Nutrition management

For purposes of insurance, a skilled nursing facility (SNF) is a health-care facility that meets criteria established by the federal government for Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement for nursing care. To qualify for reimbursement, a physician must supervise the care and maintain records of the patient’s condition and care.

An interdisciplinary rehabilitation plan is created by a team of health care professionals from different fields who work together to achieve an objective for their patient.

A physical therapy (PT) modality is a technique used to achieve a PT goal. The modality might be heat, ice, electric stimulation, ultrasound, traction, etc. The goal might be to decrease swelling, relieve pain, reduce swelling, etc.

Diathermy is a therapeutic technique that delivers high-frequency electric current via microwave, shortwave or ultrasound.  The current improves conditions of the joints such as arthritis by generating deep heat in the tissues.

IV therapy is the administration of liquid substances, usually medication, to a patient, directly into a vein. Often specialty drugs are given to a patient via infusion, which uses gravity to push the substance into the vein.

Long-term care hospitals (LCTHs), skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), inpatient rehabilitation facilities, and home health agencies all fall into the post-acute care classification.

Among others, Chateau St. James Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation offers physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy.

Physical therapy examines, evaluates and treats patients with various disorders including musculoskeletal conditions, heart conditions, neurological disorders, wounds, and more.  In addition, a physical therapist also recommends medical devices to assist the patient that will assist the patient with function and mobility.

Occupational therapy examines, evaluates and treats patients to afford them improved function in the performance of activities of daily living (ADLs), sometimes via the use of assistive devices.  An occupational therapist might train a patient to use medical or adaptive equipment, provide splint fabrication, or perform neuromuscular re-education. OT also includes cognitive retraining associated with ADLs and safety, energy conservation techniques, and sensory deficit compression techniques.

Speech therapy evaluates, diagnoses and treats disorders of communication, cognition and language.  Sometimes, swallow studies allow for objective assessment of the swallowing function.

Social services staff works with our residents and their families during times of transition. Our team provides information, addresses concerns and requests, and helps plan the discharge of each resident.  Social Services can arrange professional services for any of the following: vision, dental, audiology (hearing), podiatry, psychosocial/psychiatric evaluation, creation of advance directives, dementia assessment, and individual therapy.

Nursing home ratings are determined by health inspections, quality measures, and staffing. Each of these 3 sources generates a star rating. Then, the ratings are combined to calculate one overall rating. Learn more

Prepare an inventory list of items you’re bringing with you

• Medical records
• Copies of living will and power of attorney
• Copy of Medicare/Medicaid or insurance card
• Several days’ worth of comfortable clothes, sleepwear and toiletry items
• Something from home that might bring you comfort like a favorite quilt, photos, reading material, etc.

Your length of stay is determined by many factors: your physical condition, any underlying medical conditions, your previous level of independence and where you will go after discharge.

Our activities and programs are created with residents in mind. We plan activities that suit the needs and capabilities of each resident. We find that this helps the healing process of our rehab patients. Activities include fitness programs, singing, trivia and games, religious meetings, musical performances and other entertainment.  Families are encouraged to participate with residents.

An activity calendar is provided so residents can stay informed on upcoming events like parties, movies, outings, ice cream socials, etc. As always, family and friends are invited and encouraged to attend.

Yes. We will contact your PCP to confirm your arrival.  When you are discharged, your PCP will receive a copy of the medical records from your stay.

If you wish, Chateau St. James Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation can do your laundry for you. Upon admission, please tell our front office if you would like to use our laundry service.

If a family member or care giver will do your laundry at home, please let our nurses know so we can stop our laundry service.  We will put a sign on your closet door to let the staff know to leave the clothing for pick up.  Please provide a laundry hamper and pick up clothing twice weekly.

Our laundry service washes your personal clothing in our industrial laundry facility, and it is washed at 180 degrees. Please keep this in mind when packing.  We recommend that you avoid clothing that cannot be washed and dried in hot water, that may fade, or requires any special care.

Please label all clothing with the resident’s name.  Room numbers or initials are not effective for labeling purposes.  Please use a permanent marker and write on the inside neckline or waistband. Please mark clearly and include shoes, socks and other personal items

Bring five outfits to wear during the day including undergarments and socks, night clothes for sleeping, and a pair of comfortable, non-slip shoes.  Each article should be freshly washed and labeled, in permanent marker, with the resident’s name.  These items will be recorded in the resident’s inventory log.  Please do not bring valuable jewelry, cash, checks, or any other valuables with you.  Any other items brought in should be marked or engraved with the resident’s name.

When a resident has visitors, we recommend they meet in common areas of our facility.  If this is not possible, we recommend no more than two guests in a resident room at a time.

A resident may reserve the activities lounge with advance notice.

Yes, we love to have children visit.  Please let the large nurse know when a visitor under the age of 12 will be at the facility.

Pets are welcome for a visit with a few caveats. We require records of their immunizations prior to their visit and pets must be on leash at all times.  Of course, please use caution with pets in congested areas and clean up after them immediately.

We make every effort to honor patient preferences and offer each resident independence.  Each resident has the legal right to make their own choices with regards to their own health care, schedule, activities, and other aspects of daily life.

We must provide an environment that is safe and harmonious for all residents, guests, and employees. Our resident council serves as a self-governing body and offers residents a chance to voice concerns and have greater involvement.  Some residents choose to pass responsibilities for decision making about their treatment to their spouses or children when appropriate.

We strive to balance each resident’s need for supervision and security with their need for personal space and privacy.  Patient rooms are considered a private area and common areas in the facility are more open.

Our Resident Priority Program was created to keep the lines of communication open.  A member of our staff will be assigned to you as your “RPP Representative.”  They will check your room regularly to make sure it is clean and tidy and ensure are no housekeeping concerns. Your RPP Representative is there to hear what’s on your mind and resolve any concerns.  Our Resident Priority Program is designed to ensure your stay is a positive experience.

Medicare patients are restricted from leaving the facility for overnight stays but may leave during daytime hours for short, infrequent periods special occasions (a special church event, a wedding, a funeral).  This absence should not interfere with therapy.

Medicaid patients may leave the facility for up to 72 hours at a time.

Private Pay residents may leave the facility as desired if their account is fully paid and current.

Physical, occupational, and speech therapies take place throughout the week. You will be evaluated after you arrive, then a personalized therapy plan will be created to best meet your needs. Wear tennis shoes and comfortable loose-fitting clothing.

After you arrive, your information entered into our system and your medications will be ordered. You should receive your medications within 4-6 hours of your arrival. If you need pain control medicine, please request this medication to be administered 30 minutes to one hour prior to your departure from the hospital. To avoid serious medical complications, do not keep any medications in your room or self-medicate.

No. All medicines, even those over-the-counter, must be administered to patients by a member of our care team members after admission.  In some cases, a family member may keep medications at bedside, however this requires a doctor’s order.  The resident must also undergo as assessment of competency, and all medications must be kept in a locked drawer.

To reduce risk of falls. we encourage you to use the wheelchair in your room until your therapist clears you to use a walker by yourself.

Residents are assisted with showering three times per week, on a rotating schedule. Your nurse aid can give you your personal shower schedule.