What services are provided for patients who are admitted to Whitehall from the hospital?

Who determines when it is time for a patient to be discharged from rehabilitative services?

What happens if a patient is not able to return home?

I have always heard that "Nursing Homes" were just a place for people to go when they get too old to live alone.

What happens if I don't like my roommate?

I'm concerned about falling.

What about medication while I'm at Whitehall Boca Raton?

 
What services are provided for patients who are admitted to Whitehall from the hospital?
Patients are evaluated by an interdisciplinary team which consists of Nursing, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Activities, Social Services and Case Management, including Physicians, Dietary and other Health Care Professionals which are deemed necessary.
Once all of the evaluations are completed, these professionals, along with the patient and family, discuss the patient's needs, prior level of function and disposition once rehabilitation has ended. A care plan is written, with goals established to help the patient and family achieve a positive outcome.  
 
Who determines when it is time for a patient to be discharged from rehabilitative services?
The physician, interdisciplinary team, patient and family closely monitor progress to establish reasonable goals and time frames to meet them. As soon as possible after admission, an estimated length of stay is established to allow adequate time for discharge planning.  
 
What happens if a patient is not able to return home?
When a patient is unable to return to their prior level of functioning, and must remain in a long term care environment, the Social Service Department works closely with the family to determine the best type of setting for the patient. This will be determined by patient's physical and cognitive abilities as well as the financial resources that are available to them.  
 
I have always heard that "Nursing Homes" were just a place for people to go when they get too old to live alone.
This is very far from the truth. Patients of all ages are admitted to Whitehall from the hospital as well as home. The ages range from 18 to 102. Most of the patients are admitted for a short term rehabilitation after surgery or some other medical complications that require nursing intervention and/or rehabilitation.  
 
What happens if I don't like my roommate?
We try to place people together that we believe will be appropriate roommates. But, not knowing our residents well before they arrive sometimes results in a situation that is unacceptable. Please contact your social worker when this happens and they will make a room change just as soon as possible.  
 
I'm concerned about falling.
We all are at risk for falls. If you have been falling at home we will not be able to prevent you from falling while a resident at Whitehall Boca. Falls cannot be prevented. However, there are a number of precautions we take to minimize the risk. Please let the nurse on your floor know if you think there is a special risk from falling.  
 
What about medication while I'm at Whitehall Boca Raton?
If you are supposed to get a medication at a particular time, please remember that it is an acceptable "standard of practice" to administer that medication within a two hour window of that time. If you are here under the Medicare program, Medicare pays only for the medications that you take while a resident at Whitehall Boca. You will not be sent home with any medications. However, it is the responsibility of the nurse to coordinate the ordering of prescriptions with your physician. If you are a private pay resident, you will most likely find that your medications are more expensive than they were when you ordered from a pharmacy. This is due to the fact that we are subject to a great deal of regulation with regard to the administration of medications that significantly increase their cost. If you are a private pay resident, unused medications will be sent home with you. Discontinued medications will be returned to the pharmacy for a credit less a dispensing fee. Over the counter medication such as, Aspirin, Maalox and Tylenol is provided at no charge.