How do I know if my family member is ready for a nursing home?
Is there an opening now?
How do I get on the waiting list?
How long is the waiting list?
What happens if my family member’s name comes up on the list and we’re not ready?
How is the nursing home stay paid for?
Are there private rooms?
Are there specific units dedicated to certain types of care?
Will my family member receive physical therapy?
What personal items can my family member bring with him/her?
What if my family member is admitted and it doesn’t work out?
Is my family member free to leave the facility for short periods of time?
How will Woodridge keep in contact with me?
Nursing homes are generally for people who need 24 hour-a-day supervision and care; or who have medical problems requiring nursing attention more than once or twice a day; or who need rehabilitation that cannot be provided at home. In Vermont, there are residential care homes that should be considered before one decides on nursing home placement. Generally, a person should be able to bathe, dress, toilet and move around by him/herself to live in a residential care home. The home provides medication management, meals, housekeeping, and some personal care. You should discuss your individual situation with our Admissions Coordinator.
You should ask our Admissions Coordinator about the current situation. Other staff are happy to answer your questions about Woodridge, but please be aware that only our Admissions Coordinator has the most up-to-date information about vacancies.
An application for admission is included with this information. Complete the application and mail it to our Admissions Coordinator at the address on the form. She will review the application and add your family member’s name to the waiting list. She will contact you if there is any problem.
The wait to be admitted varies. Because Woodridge is part of Central Vermont Medical Center, we are obligated to accept hospital patients needing placement before we turn to the waiting list. Therefore, there are times the wait can be quite long--up to several months--and times that it is shorter. You should contact our Admissions Coordinator if you have any questions about your family member’s place on the waiting list.
In this case, we will try to give your family member priority when he or she is ready for placement.
When someone comes to Woodridge after an inpatient hospital stay of at least three nights, it’s possible that Medicare will cover the nursing home stay for a short time. When Medicare does not cover the stay, a person pays privately or applies for Medicaid. The rate is $272 a day for a semi-private room and $280 a day for a private room.
Woodridge has many private rooms and there is usually a waiting list for them.
When a new resident is admitted, we try to match his/her needs with the unit most suited to provide that type of care. In general, Spruce Common takes care of those whose primary needs are medical; Maple Grove takes care of those whose primary needs relate to dementia; and Evergreen takes care of those whose primary need is for rehabilitation. Nevertheless, you can expect that wherever your family member is located, the care needed for his/her specific problems will be available.
Every new resident is evaluated by our physical therapist. In some situations, she may recommend skilled physical or occupational therapy--that is, therapy that can only be provided by a licensed therapist. In other cases, she may recommend exercises or a mobility program to be carried out by a therapy aide or nursing staff. Not every resident needs skilled physical therapy, but every resident has his/her rehabilitation and mobility needs addressed and met.
Your family member can have many personal items, including furnishings. If you are considering bringing in an item that is especially large or valuable, please check with our Admissions Coordinator before doing so.
We will make every effort to have a successful admission and stay, but residents are under no obligation to remain at Woodridge for a minimum period of time. If it doesn’t work out, your family member can leave at any time and we will support you in this decision. You can even try again in the future.
Woodridge encourages families and friends to take residents out in the day or evening and even for longer periods if possible. Any overnight outing should be discussed with your family member’s nurse. Residents whose stay is being covered by Medicare are not free to be out overnight.
On the day of admission, the Admissions Coordinator or the Social Worker will contact you to discuss admission issues. At the same time, you will want to talk with your family member’s nurse to share information about care needs. In the first few days following admission, you will be invited to a meeting to discuss the overall plan of care; these meetings will continue to be held every three months and at other times when needed. The nurse will also be contacting you regularly to keep you updated on changes in your family member’s care or treatment. In the admission folder, there will be a list of the names and phone numbers of the people in charge of your family member’s care. You should always feel free to contact any of these people.
Woodridge Rehabilitation
and Nursing
142 Woodridge Drive
Berlin, VT 05602
802-371-4700
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For questions about admissions:
Sheri Speirs, BSW
P.O. Box 550
Barre, Vermont 05641
802-371-4712
sheri.speirs[at]cvmc[dot]org