Visitors are allowed in NLHV at any time that is convenient to them. Visitors can arrange to have breakfast, lunch or dinner with residents in the cafeteria. Children of any age are also welcome. We also allow pets to visit, so long as permission is granted prior to the pet coming. It is requested that for the benefit of all the residents and staff, if you are ill, please visit by telephone until you are feeling well.
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No. All 300 of the NLHV beds are certified for both Medicare and Medicaid. Residents are assigned to beds based on their care needs -- not on their finances.
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Yes. NLHV has an activities department that keeps busy! A wide variety of programs, reflecting the diversity of resident interests is available. More than 60 activities per week are planned for residents of varying ability.
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Yes. All of the rooms at NLHV are equipped with a telephone jack capable of carrying an outside line. Families are responsible for contacting the phone company and setting up the connection.
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No. We have a "pay as you go" plan called the Boarding Plan. NLHV does not become a financial agent for the resident.
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No. There are residents with varying degrees of dementia throughout NLHV Residents are assigned to a unit based on their functional and social abilities. Residents in earlier stages of dementia who are able to manage activities of daily living with supervision and cuing and who still have social skills may do well on one of the lighter care units on the first floor. Residents in the late stages who require assistance with almost all activities of daily living or who display behaviors which may be upsetting to residents with higher levels of cognitive functioning, are generally placed on the heaviest care units on the third floor where there are activity programs designed to meet their special needs.
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NLHV has an onsite laundry facility. Its services are free of charge for long term residents. There is also a laundry room on the garden level and first floor that can be used by residents and short term rehabilitation guests who wish to do their own personal laundry. Families are welcome to use this service to provide help for the resident with his or her laundry.
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Yes. NLHV has an excellent physical therapy department staffed by seven professionals, including occupational and speech language pathology therapists.
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The person who is designated as a resident's Primary contact person receives direct communication. They are also invited to attend ther resident's quarterly Care Plan meetings with staff from nursing, social work, activities and a dietician. The monthly newsletter, Connections, is emailed to family members who desire it. Family members are contacted by the nursing staff as soon as possible in cases of illness, medication changes, falls, emergency, hospitalization, and/or death. The Family Forum meeting allows family members and residents to meet staff members from all departments for a Q&A.
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Each room has a closet for storage and each resident is provided with a bed, dresser, night table and a desk and chair. Families are also welcome to bring in personal items to make the room welcoming.
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NLHV will admit residents who are approved for a long term care benefit by the Medicaid program. People who have been approved for Medicaid while living in the community will need to get the extra approval for the long term care benefit. This involves being found medically eligible as well as financially in need of assistance.
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NLHV participates in the Maryland Medicaid Program. Residents whose funds have been used in paying for care can apply to this program for assistance. Responsibility for applying and qualifying for Medicaid is the responsibility of the family or agent. NLHV will assist families in navigating the Medicaid application process.
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NLHV welcomes people of all faiths. Half of the residents are non-Lutheran. NLHV health care services are open to all people 65 and older regardless of religion, gender, race, ethnicity or national origin.
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NLHV currently has openings for long term, rehab and respite care and there is no waiting list. Contact the admissions office for availability 301-424-9560 ext. 204. For the Independent Living Program the wait time depends on the desired model. Depending on the size of the unit there may be a 1-5 year wait list. Contact the ILP Housing Manager 301-424-9560 ext. 209 to inquire and be added to the mailing list.
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Staffing in the nursing department exceeds by many hours each day the minimum required by the state. The ratio of residents to caregivers depends on the unit to which a resident is assigned (residents with greater care needs are assigned to units with higher staffing ratios), the time of day (the number of caregivers on duty is highest for the day shift when residents are awake and more active) and day of the week (physical therapy, doctors appointments, and hair care are scheduled on weekdays, therefore, less staff is necessary for weekend care). An example of staffing ratio on the heaviest care units during the day shift on a weekday would be: for 38 residents-- 2 RNs, 6 geriatric nursing assistants. A certified medication aid is also on duty three days a week.
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NLHV welcomes people of all faiths. Half of the residents are non-Lutheran. NLHV has two chaplains available to residents and their families. There is a Lutheran service on Sunday mornings. Tuesday and Thursday mornings there is a prayer service in the chapel. There is also a Catholic Mass on the fourth Tuesday of the month. The Chaplains will contact a preferred clergyperson of another faith on behalf of the resident if desired.
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NLHV does accept Medicare and Medicaid. To be admitted to NLHV for nursing or rehab care, the person must meet appropriate qualifications for Medicare prior to admission. Generally speaking people over 65 are eligible for Medicare for a limited period of time.
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Residents requiring nursing care are monitored and evaluated frequently. NLHV has three physicians who provide primary medical care for the residents. There is a doctor present on campus 365 days a year. If a resident wishes to continue with a specialist outside NLHV, residents and families are responsible for setting up appointments, transportation and payment for travel. NLHV has a driver that may be available for transport, but this service is not guaranteed.
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