Frequently Asked Questions

Villages of Lake Highlands FAQ

At Villages of Lake Highlands the health and well-being of you or your loved-one is of the utmost importance to us. For this reason we have put together a list of some of the most frequently asked questions for you to review.

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HOW DO I GO ABOUT SELECTING A HEALTHCARE COMMUNITY?

Choosing a healthcare community for yourself or a loved one is deeply personal and a difficult decision. There are many factors to consider, and as every family has certain preferences and values things differently there is not one simple approach. Having said that, we believe there are certain factors families should consider prior to selecting a healthcare community.

First and foremost, know that this is your decision to make. A surgeon, attending physician, primary care doctor, or a hospital discharge planner or social worker may have an opinion, and their advice should certainly not be discounted. However, this decision should ultimately be made by the patient and their family.
You should consider the quality of care and a facility’s clinical outcomes. Do residents recover and return home quickly, do they have good functional outcomes with documentation of improvement, do they avoid re-hospitalizations?
You should consider the quality of the facility; what are the resident rooms like, is it a comfortable environment to rehabilitate, does the therapy equipment lead to an effective and timely recovery, etc.? Will you or your loved one enjoy the facility’s key amenities such as the dining program, televisions services, wellness an social activities, and the overall atmosphere?
You also should consider the convenience of the location to you, your family and your friends. We believe it is important for a community to be in a desirable location, close to home, and close to places where families prefer to live, shop, worship, and play. Being near a hospital is not necessarily a positive attribute.
Finally, and the factor we consider most important – go tour the facility in person. Visit with the administrator, therapy director, and/or the director of nursing. Does the leadership team seem engaged, detail oriented, and passionate toward senior healthcare? Is the facility clean, are there any unusual odors? Does the staff appear engaged and do they greet you with a smile as you pass in the hallways?

We believe if you take the actions above you will find a healthcare community that will meet your needs and that you will be happy with, whether you are looking for short term rehabilitation therapy or long term skilled nursing or memory care services.

WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING FOR MY STAY?

Please bring comfortable clothing and footwear for your stay. Individuality and personal preference is an integral part of the healing process. We encourage you to wear what makes you feel comfortable and motivated to expedite your recovery. Supporting your individual preferences is our goal: please bring any medical directives, power of attorney and your Medicare and/or Insurance cards to verify benefits. We are happy to verify these items prior to your admission through our Admissions and Business Office departments. Please do not bring any prescription or over the counter medications or tobacco products. If you have valuables or cash, we have personal safes for your convenience, privacy and ease of access. Please ask our admission representative to access this amenity.

WHAT DO I HAVE TO PAY?

Your Medicare benefits, managed care, insurance, or patient specific responsibility will be discussed with you or your Resident Representative. Benefits are specific and vary widely based on the ultimate payor source. We will verify these benefits and carefully explain to any amounts you may be responsible for and keep you abreast of insurance certifications as they may apply. Our business office and social work departments are available to discuss private pay rates, or any co-pay amounts based upon your verified insurance plan as applicable.

WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT WITH THERAPY?

Therapy programs are clinically individualized, and person centered. Your plan will be developed under a collaborative plan with your surgeon, your attending physician and the nursing and therapy team at Villages of Lake Highlands. The frequency and duration of therapy sessions are fluid and relative to YOU. Our goal is to provide you with a safe course to recovery while reducing the risk of returning to an emergency department or re-hospitalization. Our rehabilitation department offers therapy services (physical, occupational and speech) seven days a week and supports each new resident in developing their schedule in accordance with their personal preference.

I AM HAVING AN ELECTIVE SURGERY, SO WHAT HAPPENS?

Many of our guests have pre-planned, elective procedures to enhance their quality of life. Examples include lower joint replacement, revisions of previous lower joint procedures, spinal surgeries and certain cardiac procedures. If you are considering this and have discussed a plan with your surgeon, we encourage you to visit us to plan your recovery, take a tour, see our state-of-the-art therapy gym, meet out team and even pick out your room.

Some future guests receive “Pre-Hab” at our community which can potentially reduce your length of stay after surgery via strengthening and conditioning prior to a procedure. You may discuss this with your surgeon to see if Pre-Hab is appropriate for you.

WHAT IS MY DISCHARGE PLAN?

Your discharge plan actually begins as we evaluate you upon admission. YOU are the center of the plan and as we collaborate to develop a plan to transition back home. Your diagnosis, clinical history and social situation will take precedence in transitioning YOU safely back home. If you are not able to transition home, we will carefully assist you or your resident representative with referrals to the most appropriate level of care that meets your clinical and financial needs.

HOW DO I GET TO VOLH FROM THE HOSPITAL?

Once you select VOLH as your choice for post-acute care, our admissions team and the discharging team at the hospital will coordinate your transfer. This will occur by either our private van or a contracted service who will drive you to VOLH. If you require ambulance stretcher, we will arrange for that per medical necessity.

WHAT IF I LIVE IN ANOTHER HEALTHCARE COMMUNITY?

Many of our short term guests reside in a local Assisted Living, Memory Care, Group Home or Independent Living settings in other facilities. If you have experienced a hospitalization and need skilled nursing and rehabilitation we are able to facilitate a smooth transition back to your community. With your permission, we can engage representatives from your Assisted Living, etc. to participate in your discharge plan and return you to your home as quickly and safely as possible.