Q. How do I apply for admission to a Phoebe
Nursing Center?
A. You may apply for admission to a Phoebe nursing
center at any time by calling the Director of Admissions
or by filling out an on-line admissions form. The director
will meet with you, provide you with a tour and explain
our services and fees.
Often individuals are admitted to our nursing facilities
following a hospitalization or from their homes upon
the advice of their physician. If you are hospitalized,
the discharge planner, case manager or social worker
at the hospital will assist you in applying for admission
at several nursing centers.
Q. Is there an entrance fee to enter a Phoebe
Nursing Center?
A. No entrance fee is required for our nursing centers.
You will be charged a monthly fee and for expenses directly
related to your care. You will receive your first bill
beginning the month following admission.
Q. Do I have to be a member of the United Church
of Christ to be admitted to a Phoebe community?
A. No. Phoebe welcomes residents of all faiths. Phoebe
Ministries is affiliated with the United Church of Christ,
which is very supportive of our ministry to senior adults.
Q. How is Phoebe Ministries paid for the services
it provides residents of its skilled nursing facilities?
A. Phoebe's business office sends an itemized monthly
bill to whoever is managing your funds. If appropriate,
Phoebe also submits requests for reimbursement to Medicare
and supplemental insurance plans to cover the costs
of the medical services it provides you. Any charge
or portion of a charge not covered will appear on your
monthly Phoebe bill.
Q. If I no longer have funds, will I have to
leave Phoebe?
A. Phoebe Ministries offers financial assistance (charitable
care) to residents who, through no fault of their own,
become unable to pay the daily rates/additional charges
that may be due under various living agreements. In
order to qualify for Charitable Care, the resident must
not have impaired his/her ability to meet financial
obligations by transferring assets, other than in good
faith and for value to meet ordinary and customary living
expenses, and must not have materially misrepresented
financial or other relevant information during the application
and/or admission process or any other required disclosures.
Further, the resident must provide adequate and timely
information to Phoebe to justify consideration for Charitable
Care and must apply for and utilize all governmental
resources, programs, etc. which may be available to
assist the resident in meeting housing and other living
expenses. The resident and/or his or her representative
must cooperate fully with this process. Charitable Care
will be determined on a case by case basis and shall
be offered provided that such subsidy can be granted
without impairing Phoebe's financial stability.
Q. Does Phoebe have rehabilitation therapies?
A. Phoebe is well known for its excellent rehabilitation
services. Working closely with your doctor or a member
of Phoebe's medical staff, Phoebe provides physical,
occupational and speech therapy. A physiatrist, a specialist
in rehabilitation medicine, provides consulting services
for Phoebe residents.
The majority of our physical and occupational therapy
staff members are Phoebe employees rather than contracted
employees. As a result, the staffing is more stable
and consistent. Our therapists and other staff members
have the opportunity to get to know residents well.
Our rehabilitation staff provides home evaluations prior
to discharging residents to ensure everything is in
place upon their arrival home.
Q. As a resident, would I have to go out to
see a doctor?
A. No, Phoebe has an excellent medical staff consisting
of primary care physicians such as internists and family
practice physicians, as well as specialists including
podiatrists, dentists, eye doctors, audiologists, psychiatrists
and dermatologists. The physicians come to our nursing
and rehabilitation centers to see our residents.
Q. When can my friends and relatives visit?
A. Phoebe has an open visiting policy. Friends and
relatives can visit anytime that is convenient. Phoebe
welcomes visitors of all ages. Phoebe embraces the Circle
of Life philosophy. Through the Circle of Life, Phoebe's
nursing communities strive to provide a natural and
inviting environment that residents were accustomed
to prior to moving into a nursing center. One of the
ways in which we can achieve this setting is to welcome
visitors of all ages, including children. It is not
unusual to see a Brownie Troop, young children from
area daycares or even pets in any one of Phoebe's nursing
centers.
Q. Do you have special arrangements for residents
with dementia or memory impairment?
A. Two of our nursing and rehabilitation centers have
special units for residents with memory impairment:
Bridgeways at Phoebe Home, Allentown and the Cottage at Phoebe Richland, Richlandtown. Phoebe Berks Health
Care Center and Wyncote Church Home meets the special
needs of these residents through specially designed
activities and nursing services.
Q. Do you have a waiting list?
A. At times there may not be an immediate opening available.
When waiting lists exist, they vary from day to day.
We try to accommodate applicants as promptly as possible.
If your first Phoebe choice is unavailable, we may be
able to temporarily place you in one of our other nursing
and rehab centers until a room becomes available at
your preferred location.
Q. Does it help to have an application on file?
A. Yes, we strongly encourage individuals to have an
application on file long before they need to be admitted.
Click here if you would like to fill out an on-line
admissions form. Pre-admission can speed the admissions
process should the need arise.
Q. What are the accommodations?
A. In most instances, your furnishings will include
a bed, dresser, bedside table, chair and TV. A closet
and bed linens will be provided. You may bring your
own personal belongings as space permits. Televisions
are not provided in all rooms but residents can bring
their own.
Q. Will I have a roommate?
A. The types of rooms available vary and different
rates apply. The majority of our accommodations are
double occupancy. We have a limited number of single
rooms available. Triple and quad rooms may also be offered.
Q. If I am a resident, can I leave the building?
A. Of course. Residents are encouraged to go out with
their families or friends for dinner or an overnight
stay. Our activities departments also have vans to take
residents to outings in the community, luncheons at
local restaurants, and drives through the countryside.
Q. What personal belongings may I bring?
A. Personal belongings, clothing and furnishings may
be considered as space permits.
Q. May I smoke?
A. All of Phoebe's residential facilities are smoke-free.
Designated smoking areas are provided out of doors.
Q. Where may I keep my valuables?
A. Phoebe provides safekeeping of valuables through
the Social Services Department. We encourage you to
leave excess amounts of money, jewelry or other valuables
with a trusted family member or friend.
Q. Where are Phoebe's Nursing and Rehabilitation
Centers located?
