SKILLED CARE AFTER SURGERY/REHAB

How to Choose Skilled Care after Surgery/Rehab

Physical therapist Danialle Draeger works with an outpatient client inside the therapy clinic at Jorgensen Plaza on the south campus of Western Home Communities. Skilled care inpatients receive therapy services in their rooms during the pandemic and outpatients are socially distanced.

How to choose skilled nursing for short-term stays

Elective surgeries to improve your well-being have resumed, and emergencies happen even during a pandemic. After you’ve been hospitalized for surgery, illness or injury, you might qualify for a Medicare-covered skilled stay to help you get back on your feet.

In the Cedar Valley, this type of care is provided at skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) by registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, certified nurse assistants (CNAs), physical and occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists.

A short-term skilled care stay helps you get better, function more independently, and learn to take care of your health needs. You and your family can take part in setting your health goal.

Plan a visit

If you’re scheduling a surgery for procedures like a joint replacement, an advance tour would be ideal. Since that’s not possible due to COVID-19, you can still do your homework by seeing if virtual tours are offered and calling to inquire about the services you would receive.

Questions to ask

• What are your infection control protocols during COVID-19? • Do your caregivers always wear personal protective equipment? • Will I have a private bedroom and my own bathroom? • Do I get to choose any of my meals? • Will I get therapy every day? • How do the therapists practice infection control? • What are your outcomes?

Look for low rehospitalization rates, signifying that patients stayed healthy after returning home; and higher rates of physical ability upon discharge, an indicator that therapy helped the patient improve.

More like a hotel than a hospital

Western Home Communities offers skilled care at The Deery Suites, unique among SNFs because it follows the household model of care, stripping away anything institutional in favor of creating home. Each of the 20 residents per floor has a spacious private bedroom with large private bathroom and walk-in shower, to ensure privacy and dignity – plus enhanced infection control, more important than ever right now.

During the pandemic, Western Home Communities has had two employees working nearly full-time on procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE). Therapists are working with individuals in their rooms instead of transporting them to the therapy clinic to reduce any exposure risk.

All employees are screened for symptoms and exposure to COVID-19 when arriving to work and also again when leaving their shift. Those who don’t pass the screening cannot work until their condition improves or a test for COVID-19 is negative.

Additionally, The Deery Suites offers hotel-like amenities in the attached Jorgensen Plaza for Well-Being, designed for resident and visitor enjoyment. Amenities include Salon Iris, an Aveda concept salon offering hair care, massage therapy, facials, manicures and pedicures; The Market, stocked with unique gifts and delicious grab-and-go deli items; Caraway Café, open for lunch on weekdays from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.; and Gilmore’s Pub, offering beer, wine, cocktails and pub fare from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Restaurant staff is masked at all times, separating tables for social distancing, and practicing enhanced disinfecting between patrons.

To inquire about a short-term skilled care stay at The Deery Suites, call 319-277-2141 and ask for Karla, Wendy or Bryan, who can assist you with tour and admissions information.