Question 1

Why consider living at Mrs. Bush’s Personal Care Home?

Accepted Answer

We are typically contacted by potential residents or their loved ones when a person is increasingly concerned with living alone due to the possibility of falling, getting sick, safety issues, forgetting to take medications, loneliness, poor nutrition or struggling to take care of household responsibilities. We created our home to be a place you can think of as “your home”. Our residents and their families have expressed over and over that they are thankful our community has the experience, dedication and professionalism needed to alleviate the anxiety, stress, and worry from their lives by knowing they or their loved ones are in a safe and caring environment. We highly encourage you to schedule a tour to experience our facility for yourself if you are seeking personal care or independent living services. Come and experience what most people say when they walk through our doors…”it’s so warm and inviting, I feel like I’m home.”

Question 2

What are ADL’s & IADL’s?

Accepted Answer

ADL’s (Activities of Daily Living) and IADL’s (Instrumental Activities of Daily Living) refer to basic routines and chores that all people perform daily. Many of our residents require assistance with ADL’s and IADL’s due to physical or cognitive disabilities which do not require the care level of a skilled nursing home. Mrs. Bush’s Personal Care Homes includes some personal care services that assist residents with their ADL’s in our basic room rates. Our basic personal care services includes a room plus three meals daily, a bedtime snack, weekly laundering of personal clothing, weekly housekeeping and linen service, medication administration, a weekly staff assisted shower, hair wash and set and nail care, weekly blood pressure and weight monitoring, licensed nurses on staff, active social programs, and basic cable. Though not all residents need additional care, we do provide a range of reasonable fees to allow us to help residents with advancing needs.

Question 3

Do you offer Independent Living?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we do. For some residents, independent living (IL) is the first step in moving to a long term care community. Our independent living units offer privacy and unique features as well as 2 types of accommodations to choose from. Our IL apartments are spacious and equipped with full kitchens and personal laundry units. Our IL suites offer kitchenettes, community laundry room, housekeeping and meal plans with a private elevator to the main dining room. We offer a number of benefits and services to residents in our independent living units. See a list of services below. We also offer cost savings with discounts up to 3 months if a resident of an independent unit requires a short term (respite) stay in our personal care program. This allows us to help you maintain your independent unit while we temporarily help you with additional ADL’s and IADL’s following a hospital stay, surgery, rehabilitation, or illness.

*Some services above may require additional costs.

Question 4

Do you offer higher Levels of Care to assist with ADL’s?

Accepted Answer

We offer higher levels of care to accommodate residents that need additional support with their ADL’s and IADL’s. We assess our personal care residents in order to determine the level of care that we will provide for them and an additional monthly fee is added to the basic rate. The additional fees allow us to provide our nursing team the ability to provide increased oversight, supervision, and physical assistance to the many residents that need extra assistance every day.

Question 5

What type of special needs are supported under our higher Levels of Care?

Accepted Answer

At Mrs. Bush’s Personal Care Homes, we assess a resident and develop their support plan prior to, shortly after admission and throughout the stay with periodic assessments throughout the year. Getting to know all of the needs of a resident is an in-person learning process. Below is a list of the many needs that residents of our home may have.

Ambulation Needs
We care for residents who walk independently and also those that use ambulation aides such as a cane, walker, or wheelchair to assist them from one location to another. We have handrails equipped throughout the hallways of our Home. We also accommodate residents with mobility needs which require an aide to walk by their side or transport them in their wheelchair. Electric wheelchairs or motorized scooters are not permitted inside.

Transfer Needs
We provide assistance by offering a variety of transfer support options. We offer hand rails, grab bars, one and two person assistance and gait belts. We have Hoyer Lifts, Manual and Electric Sit to Stand Devices, and Electric Toilet Seat Lifts to manage special transfer needs.

Reduced Cognitive Ability Support
After evaluation we provide care to residents with mild to moderate issues including episodes of agitation, memory deficits, or trouble communicating. Our Community Life department offers special programs to enrich the lives of those with mild to moderate cognitive impairment.

Diabetes Management
Staff are trained to be proficient in glucose monitoring and insulin injections for residents that have diabetic needs. Bedtime snacks, supplements, and hypoglycemic treatments, as ordered, are readily obtained to manage hypoglycemic episodes.

Oxygen/Inhalation Therapies
Staff are trained to assist residents with the use and care of nebulizer treatments, oxygen concentrators or portable tanks, pulse ox monitoring, and other prescribed inhalation therapies. Our staff assist with management of supplies and orders related to care and maintenance of oxygen/nebulizer equipment including changing tubes, nasal cannula’s, and empty tanks, cleaning filters, etc...

Hospice Co-ordination
Hospice can be an option when a resident’s health declines and the goal is for comfort care rather than repeat hospitalizations and aggressive disease treatment. In that situation, we will consult with family and our in-house practitioner to inquire for a hospice evaluation. Residents that qualify for hospice can choose to work with a hospice agency that will provide on-site service and specialized support. We collaborate with them closely to manage the care and comfort of the resident through end of life.

Managing Appointments/Securing Personal Transportation
Our staff will schedule appointments and transportation upon request. Transportation may be arranged through a private service such as a wheelchair van or we have our own transportation utilizing a van with a specialized transfer seat and a certified personal care aide to drive and escort the resident throughout the trip. Our transport aide helps to ensure the doctor’s orders are conveyed back to our facility which helps speed up prescription changes or other orders. Our nursing staff communicates the change in orders to the residents’ designated family member if the family member is unable to attend the appointment.

Vision/Dental/Hearing Care
Many residents have varying degrees of needs related to sensory deficits and the use and management of Eyeglasses, Eye Drop Treatments, Cataracts, Glaucoma, Macular Degeneration, Partial Blindness, Hearing Devices, Dental Appliances, Gum or Dental Treatments. We provide support to our residents by assisting in the use, care, cleaning of the equipment or administering treatments related to these needs.

Assisted Dining/Special Diets/Supplements/Dining Room
“Assisted Dining” is available for residents who need increased supervision or assistance with dining. This could be related to dementia, stroke deficits, swallowing difficulty, impaired vision, etc…Staff will serve and oversee the residents during the meal and offer cues and direction, hand over hand feeding assistance, assist with cutting food and applying condiments. Our kitchen offers special preparations including chopped foods, mechanical soft diets, pureed diets and thickened liquids.

Drinking/Hydration
We provide a mid-morning water pass with fresh ice in water cups with flexible straws every day to encourage residents to drink water. We also have water stations throughout our building and personally provide our residents with water at each med pass.

Medication Management
We are staffed with licensed professional nurses to supervise daily operations. Our nurses educate and oversee our medication technicians in administering doctor prescribed medicine according to schedule. Our staff assists residents with ice packs, heat packs, limited wound dressing changes, creams, drops, and other treatments in a prompt, convenient, and professional manner. Our nursing staff expedite medication changes by coordinating new doctor’s orders with the pharmacy, and our medication administration staff.

Care Management
Our licensed nurses are an important component to overall resident wellness. This may include assessing residents on-site when medical issues arise and communicating concerns to medical providers, scheduling routine wellness visits with the in-house medical providers, processing all physician orders, scheduling lab work and specimens as ordered and ensuring abnormal results are reported to the ordering physician, administering special injections,
maintaining medical records, conducting family conferences regarding changes in resident status, making referrals to appropriate agencies for resident support.

Incontinence Care
Residents with bladder and/or bowel incontinence will receive assistance with routine and as needed toileting, hygiene and clothing care to maintain dignity, cleanliness and proper skin care. Attention will be given to linen changes as needed as well as carpet and upholstery cleaning.

Personal Hygiene Care/Shower Assistance
Staff will assist with daily hygiene needs including bathing, dressing, oral care, hair and nail care/grooming to the extent that is required by the resident. A weekly staff assisted shower is provided which includes a bed linen change, showering assistance, hair wash and set or blow dry, manicure and blood pressure and weight monitoring and documentation. Additional showers may be scheduled on request.

Question 6

What are the distinguishing features and amenities of Mrs. Bush’s Personal Care Homes?

Accepted Answer

Our personal care program is offered in a specially designed single-floor residence from which we provide room options, dining service, supervision and assistance with ADL’s and IADL’s and social programs. Most residents intend to stay in our home for long term stays but short term stays referred to as respite stays are also permitted. Resident needs can range from independent to extensive. We offer room options, services, and amenities based on the individual needs of each resident. Our personal care home is designed with many unique features and amenities to help residents enjoy life comfortably and affordably.

Room Options
Mrs. Bush’s Personal Care Homes has many room options to choose from giving our residents and their family’s flexibility in controlling cost and comfort when necessary. Resident’s may choose from our Large Spacious Deluxe Private Rooms with Private Bath and Shower or our modest but nicely sized Economy Private Rooms with shared Bath. The Economy Room options are best suitable for residents that require showering assistance in our Private Shower Rooms and closer access to our nursing area and dining room. Shared room accommodations are also an option for residents that benefit from companionship or want to preserve funds. All rooms are furnished with artwork, beds, chairs, lamps, night stands, dressers, desks, call bell service and cable-tv hook-up. Residents also have the option to furnish their room with their own heirlooms and furnishings provided it is safe, clean and in good working condition. Telephone service is available at a minimal charge. We will assist with picture and TV hanging upon request.

Community Life
We host many group activities and social programs in our large community room. Programs include daily exercise programs, special arts & crafts, movies, live entertainment, and much more. Walk our lengthy hallways for exercise and stop in our café for a fresh cup of coffee on your way to our personal library of large print books and DVD’s. Make an appointment with one of our two licensed beauticians, sign up for trips and outings to diners, restaurants, shows, and shopping with the care of our staff.

Cost of Care
At Mrs. Bush’s we strive to keep our rates affordable without sacrificing quality and comfort. Upon move in, an admission fee and security deposit is due. Personal Care fees are comprised of a monthly room fee and an additional care fee based upon our care assessment tool. Care Levels are reviewed periodically throughout the year or upon a significant change in a resident’s condition. They can increase or decrease with decline or improvement. Incidental bills are printed and mailed bi-monthly. These charges are typically for reimbursement to us for services and items that have been collected on a residents account. Typical incidental charges are for private telephone service and long distance fees, salon services, incontinence products, country store charges, costs for bus trips and diner club outings, personal hygiene items, batteries, etc. We give a 30 day notice before a rate increase and require a 30 day notice before a resident is discharged. If a resident has a lengthy stay outside of the facility but desires to keep their room they must continue to pay the monthly fee.

Location, Size, and Designed for Comfort
We are located in the village of Kunkletown which is centrally located between Carbon, Monroe, and Northampton counties and close to many attractions. We offer beautiful mountain views throughout all four seasons from most rooms and lounges. We designed Mrs. Bush’s with your comfort in mind. Our single-floor floorplan design combined with special flooring, zoned air conditioning, electric heat, emergency generators, modern kitchen with ample food storage, decorations, private lounges, and community rooms, offer comfort and security. We are a community of 76 and that allows us to get to know you and care for you promptly and personally.

Family Owned with Professional Staff
For over 40 years, Mrs. Bush’s Personal Care Home is family owned and operated with many long term dedicated staff committed to assisting you with dignity, respect and a caring response on a daily basis as well as in times of emergencies. We take pride maintaining a warm, home like atmosphere. We strive for high quality of care to our residents, to seasonally decorating our home, daily housekeeping and consistent laundry service, nutritious meals, and more.

Transportation Services
Vital to managing the care a resident needs on trips away from our facility, at a modest fee, we provide a vehicle transport van equipped with mobility seat and provide an escort trained to help with ADL’s, to drive and stay with your loved one during off site trips. Trips can be to specialist doctors, dentists, etc., if you cannot provide a safe transport of your loved one, we are here to help. We also help schedule ambulance, wheel-chair van transports, and public transportation for residents that require them.

Question 7

What is the difference between a nursing home and a personal care home?

Accepted Answer

There are many differences between nursing homes and personal care homes. Although both offer a long term home for seniors, there is really no comparison between institutional type nursing homes and home-like personal care homes but together they provide older adults a place to live whether it be temporary or permanent and a host of services and amenities.

Cost, Facility Design & Licensure
Nursing homes are licensed medical facilities that are inspected and licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. They meet both state and federal regulations and there is third party reimbursement (Medicare and Medicaid) for those who qualify based on income. Nursing homes meet the needs of many folks young and old that do not have the funding or meet the eligibility requirements to live in a personal care home. Nursing homes are known to accommodate many seniors after a hospital visit in which they need a short period of time following illness or injury.

Personal care homes are home-like residential facilities caring for four or more older adults that are licensed and inspected by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. The personal care home industry is often referred to or advertised as "Assisted Living Facilities," or "Retirement Homes". In Pennsylvania, there is no third party reimbursement for personal care homes through Medicare and Medicaid. At Mrs. Bush’s Personal Care, we do not accept residents that receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Our residents pay for their care through a combination of sources from Social Security Income, Long Term Living Insurance, Pensions, Retirement & Financial Savings, help from their families, and the VA Benefit for those that apply on behalf of themselves or their spouse that served during active military duty.

Over our 40 years of operation, we have had many residents that were able to transfer to us after a recent rehabilitation stay in a Nursing Home. There have also been many of our own residents who were required to be transferred to a nursing home for short term or long term stays because we could not meet their needs. Residents have been known to transfer back and forth between personal care and nursing home due to a variety of situations.

Question 8

What is the difference between Personal Care Homes and Assisted Living Residences?

Accepted Answer

This question varies from state to state and you often hear the terms “Personal Care” and “Assisted Living” used interchangeably which leads to confusion. The PA Department of Human Services developed Personal Care Home regulations, licensure, and inspection procedures for homes that cared for the elderly with disabilities several decades ago. In 2011, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania adopted separate regulations for Assisted Living Residences with subtle differences in regard to concept, construction and level of care.

Question 9

What is the difference between a personal care home and In-home Care?

Accepted Answer

We are a large and specially designed facility operated by a professionally trained staff 24/7 365 days a year to help residents live a well-rounded life by providing physical assistance, supervision, social programs, and access to many conveniences you may not have at home. Residents here benefit by having our staff schedule and escort them to convenient on-site service providers for physical-therapy, medical visits, podiatrists, lab work, diagnostics & imaging, eye doctors, licensed beauticians, various church services, entertainers, and much more.

Question 10

Do personal care homes have to hire professional staff, like doctors and nurses?

Accepted Answer

Personal care homes are not medical facilities and they do not have to hire nurses or other medical staff. Our founder, the original Mrs. Bush, a licensed registered nurse set the standard for quality and consistency of care. We have expanded our nursing office to help honor this standard. We dedicate our director of nursing to train our staff and co-ordinate on-site and off-site visits with medical practitioners. We have 3 licensed nurses on-site to oversee staff and residents on a daily basis and are on-call 24/7.

Question 11

Must I give all my money and possessions in order to be cared for at a personal care home?

Accepted Answer

No. You only pay us for the care and services you receive. Your financial assets and possessions are yours.

Question 12

What if I am independent, but my spouse needs to reside in a Personal Care Home?

Accepted Answer

We offer several independent and personal care options to accommodate a couple who do not share the same health needs but want to stay in our home.