Long Term Care Options in Georgia
Long-term care refers to medical, rehabilitative, social and support services provided to people who need assistance in caring for themselves. Usually these services are needed because of physical or mental disabilities that require varying degrees of assistance and medical/nursing management. Long-term care services can be delivered in a wide variety of settings ranging from a private home to a nursing facility. This document contains more information about your long term care options in Georgia.
By: Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Aging Services
At Home Care and Services for Seniors
(Separate Website)
There are some services available in Georgia that may make it possible for a senior citizen to stay in his or her home rather than move to a nursing home or personal care home. This document explains the kinds of services that are available and where to apply for them.
By: Elder Law Committee of State Bar of Georgia
Home Health Care Companies (Search and Compare)
(Separate Website)
From this web site you may search for home health companies near you and compare them.
By: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
You Can Keep Your Own Home and Still Get Medicaid!
That's right! You do not have to give away your home in order to be eligible for Medicaid. In fact, giving your home away could cause you to be disqualified from receiving Medicaid. Although you may keep your home for as long as you or your spouse are alive, the state may put a lien on your home so it can recover its costs from your estate unless certain exemptions apply.
By: Georgia Legal Services Program
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Long Term Care in Georgia - Choosing a Nursing Home
(Separate Website)
REQUEST A TOUR OF THE ENTIRE HOME--
Are the rooms and corridors clean, tidy and free of urine odor?
*Is there a nurse call system by each bed?
*Is there fresh drinking water at the bedside?
*Do residents have their own belongings in their rooms?
*Are certain areas of the facility more desirable than others?
*Are there privacy curtains, bed stands and individual closets in each room?
*Are the most recent survey reports from the State Inspectors posted in a public place.
Long Term Care in Georgia - Choosing a Personal Care Home
(Separate Website)
Choosing a personal care home can be a stressful and time consuming job. This Fact Sheet is designed to give you guidance in selecting the best personal care home to meet the needs of the resident and for seeing that the resident receives proper treatment and care after moving into the home.
Paying for Long-Term Care
Nursing Homes and Medicare
(Separate Website)
This link takes you to the Nursing Homes section of the Medicare.gov website. The purpose of this section is to provide visitors with information relating to Medicaid and Medicare certified nursing homes throughout the United States. It includes information on payment and patient rights, and a nursing home checklist which will help you evaluate the nursing homes that you visit.
By: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Medicare Coverage of Skilled Nursing Facility Care
(Separate Website)
This booklet explains: (1) Medicare covered skilled care; (2) your rights and protections, (3) where you can get help with questions. This document is available in PDF format.
By: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Medicaid Information for Long Term Care
There are often many questions about eligibility for Medicaid. This document will attempt to answer general questions about your questions about what Medicaid allows and doesn't allow in terms of transferring assets to qualify for Medicaid benefits to cover long term care.
By: Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Aging Services
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Links to Georgia Resources for Medicaid, Medicare, Nursing Homes, Personal Care and Home Health Care
(Separate Website)
This web site provides additional links to resources in Georgia for Medicaid, Medicare, Nursing Homes and Personal Care Homes and Home Health Care providers.
By: Elder Law Committee of State Bar of Georgia
Long Term Care in Georgia - Ways to pay for nursing home stays
(Separate Website)
What is the average cost of nursing home care?
Nursing home cost in Georgia average from approximately $70 to $150 per day. This fee generally includes room, board, routine nursing care, general toiletries such as soap, shampoo, tissue, etc., and flat laundry (linens). There may be additional charges for other items such as some medications, and some incontinent supplies.
Depending upon the resident’s source of payment, and / or the facility policy, the average cost may vary. Additional charges should be specified in the written admission agreement.
Long Term Care in Georiga - Nursing Home Resident Trust Funds
(Separate Website)
WHAT IS A RESIDENT TRUST FUND?
-A resident trust fund is money held by the nursing home for a resident of the facility.
CAN MY NURSING HOME REQUIRE ME TO SET UP A TRUST FUND?
-No. State and federal laws give you the right to manage your own financial affairs. Nursing homes have no right to manage, use or dispose of your money. If you need help managing your funds, the nursing home is required to explain available options including a trust fund.
Alternatives to Guardianship - With Advance Directives When a person is sick or preparing for a future stay in the hospital, there can sometimes be confusion about what the person?s wishes are for his or her own treatment. There might be disagreement among family members about the person's decisions concerning his or her health care. Advance Directives allow an person to make decisions in advance about his or her health care in writing. This lets the person make his own life decisions, lets everyone know what those decisions are, and keeps the family from having to make those decisions for the person after the person is sick. This document explains the different kinds of advance directives, including the Living Will, the Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care and the Do Not Resuscitate Order.
By: Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Aging Services
Temporary Health Care Placement Decisionmakers: when you need to move from hospital to nursing home
The legislature recognizes that there may be times when an adult has not made advance arrangements for a situation when he or she is unable to consent to his or her own admission to or discharge from one health care facility or placement or transfer to another health care facility or placement. When those times arise, it may be necessary and in the adult's best interest to be admitted to or discharged from one health care facility or placement or transferred to an alternative facility or placement.
By: Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Aging Services
Long Term Care in Georgia - Assessment and Care Planning in Nursing Homes
(Separate Website)
Georgia and federal law require nursing homes to identify each resident’s abilities and needs and to develop a plan to maximize residents abilities and meet their needs. The process of identifying a resident’s abilities and needs is called assessment. The plan describing how the nursing home will meet the resident’s needs is called a care plan.
Rights in Nursing Homes
Nursing Homes and Personal Care Homes: Your Rights
(Separate Website)
This document explains (1) the differences between "nursing homes" and "personal care homes" or "assisted living facilities", (2) discusses how these homes are regulated by the government and (3) explains the rights residents have while they are living in these homes and the ways residents may enforce their rights. The document also provides valuable information about how to evaluate the facilities when choosing a home for yourself or your family members.
By: Elder Law Committee of State Bar of Georgia
Legal Rights of Nursing Home Residents - State Bar of Georgia Consumer Pamphlet
(Separate Website)
The State Bar of Georgia has provided this pamphlet to inform people about some of their legal rights regarding nursing home residency. It explains what you need to know before signing a nursing home admissions agreement and what you need to know while staying in a nursing home. The last page of this pamphlet lists agencies to contact for assistance.
By: State Bar of Georgia
Your Right to Nursing Home Care Without Discrimination
Federal and Georgia laws prohibit discrimination against residents or people seeking care on the basis of race, national origin, age, religion, sex, color or handicap. This Fact Sheet summarizes some of your civil rights and explains how to file a complaint if you have experienced discrimination.
By: Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Aging Services
Participating in the Nursing Home Survey Process
If you would like to talk to one of the surveyors during the inspection of your nursing home or personal care home, the Ombudsman may be able to assist you.
By: Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Aging Services
Long Term Care in Georgia - Care Requirements in Nursing Homes
(Separate Website)
Most nursing home residents require some help with basic needs such as bathing, dressing, feeding, and toileting. The nursing home must identify each resident’s needs and establish a care plan to meet these needs. This fact sheet describes some of the requirements nursing homes must meet in helping residents with daily care. Another fact sheet describes how a care plan is developed and your right to participate in its development.
-Federal and Georgia regulations set daily care requirements for nursing homes. Georgia law applies to all Georgia nursing homes. Almost all Georgia nursing homes are Medicare or Medicaid approved
Long Term Care in Georgia- Residents' Bill of Rights in Nursing Homes
(Separate Website)
The Long Term Care Facilities Residents’ Bill of Rights gives a Resident, a Residents Representative or Guardian:
1. Personal Rights;
2. Grievance Rights; and
3. The right to file an action in court
Long-term Care Lifestyle Issues
Long Term Care in Georgia - Food and Nutrition Issues in Nursing Homes
(Separate Website)
Meals help meet many needs for all persons, in and out of nursing homes. In nursing homes, meals and mealtimes are especially important. Many nursing home residents have special nutritional needs. Others may need food specially prepared due to digestive disorders. Mealtimes are one of the most important activities of each day and provide an important opportunity for social gathering and sharing. Due to their social and nutritional significance, meals are a major concern for most nursing home residents.
Long Term Care in Georgia - Handling Theft and Loss Problems in Nursing Homes
(Separate Website)
Two of the most common problems experienced by residents of nursing homes are loss or theft of personal items. Missing items may include clothing, dentures, eyeglasses, jewelry, radios, televisions, money, food and similar possessions. Loss of a personal possession is always upsetting. For nursing home residents, it adds to existing feelings of insecurity, loss of dignity and self-worth.
Long Term Care in Georgia - Hot Weather Concerns for Nursing Home Residents
(Separate Website)
During the summer months, nursing home residents may be at great risk when the weather is hot and the humidity is high. According to the U.S. Office of Consumer Affairs, heat stress is a life threatening condition for the elderly. This Fact Sheet gives information about heat stress and explains how nursing homes are supposed to protect residents from this problem.
Long Term Care in Georgia - How to Contact Nursing Home Owners About Problems
(Separate Website)
-If you or a relative live in a nursing home, the owner of that home should want to make sure you are satisfied with the care provided. You are their customer. However, many nursing home residents and their representatives do not know how to contact the owner about any problems they experience. This Fact Sheet explains when and how to contact a nursing home owner to express concerns you may have.
Long Term Care in Georgia - Nurse Aide Training Requirements
(Separate Website)
Nurse aides provide most of the direct care nursing home residents receive and have more contact with residents than any other staff. Their duties include helping with personal and hygiene care, meals, rehabilitative care, supervising residents, documentation and many other duties. Nurse aides are a vital part of the care giving team in nursing homes.
Home Page
Intake Workers
(Separate Website)
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