Thank you for your inquiry about
GOLDEN AGE HOME
ASSISTED LIVING
THE MISSION OF THE GOLDEN AGE HOME SINCE IT WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1960, HAS BEEN THAT OF PROVIDING RETIREMENT CARE IN A FRIENDLY, CHRISTIAN ENVIRONMENT. CARING FOR THOSE WHO CAN NO LONGER CARE FOR THEMSELVES AND HELPING THEM MAINTAIN THE OPTIMUM QUALITY OF LIFE WITH DIGNITY IS THE MISSION OF OUR HOME.
RIGHTS OF A RESIDENT
You, the resident, do not give up any rights when you enter an assisted living facility. The facility must encourage and assist you to fully exercise your rights. It is against the law for any assisted living facility employee to threaten, coerce, intimidate, or retaliate against you for exercising your rights.
If anyone hurts you, threatens to hurt you, neglects your care, takes your property, or violates your dignity, you have the right to file a complaint with the facility administrator or with the Texas Department of Aging and Disability by calling1-800-458-9858.
Your rights may be restricted only to the extent necessary to protect you or another person from danger or harm or to protect a right of another resident, particularly those relating to privacy and confidentiality.
You have a right:
1.to all care necessary for you to have the highest possible level of health;
2.to safe, decent, and clean conditions;
3.to be free from abuse and exploitation;
4.to be treated with courtesy, consideration, and respect;
5.to be free from discrimination based on age, race, religion, sex, nationality, or disability and to practice your own religious beliefs;
6.to privacy, including privacy during visits and telephone calls;
7.to complain about the facility and to organize or participate in any program that presents residents’ concerns to the administrator of the facility;
8.to have facility information about you maintained as confidential;
9.to retain the services of a physician of your choice, at your own expense or through a health care plan, and to have a physician explain to you, in language you understand, your complete medical condition, the recommended treatment, and the expected results of the treatment;
10.to participate in developing a plan of care, to refuse treatment, and to refuse to participate in experimental research;
11.to a written statement or admission agreement describing the services provided by the facility and the related changes;
12.to manage your own finances or to delegate that responsibility to another person;
13.to access money and property you have deposited with the facility, to an accounting of your money and property that are deposited with the facility, and of all financial transactions with or on behalf of you;
14.to keep and use personal property, secure from theft or loss;
15.to not be relocated within the facility, except in accordance with the assisted living facility regulations;
16.to receive visitors;
17.to receive unopened mail and to receive assistance in reading or writing correspondence;
18.to participate in activities inside and outside the facility;
19.to wear your own clothes;
20.to discharge yourself from the facility unless you have been adjudicated mentally incompetent;
21.to not be discharged from the facility, except as provided in the assisted living regulations; and
22.to be free from any physical or chemical restraints imposed for the purposes of discipline or convenience, and not required to treat your medical symptoms.
WHAT IS ASSISTED LIVING?
Assisted living is an industry term for multifamily housing with congregate and Assisted Living services. Assisted living goes by many names, including Assisted Living, residential care, congregate care and in some areas, board and care. It is group care for a person who cannot remain in his/her own home and who is placed in a facility licensed by the Department of Aging and Disability Services as an adult care home. Assisted Living offers choices in a residential setting aboutAssisted Living and health related services. The services offered from one facility to another vary widely, but frequently include as core services meals, housekeeping and transportation and often some assistance with laundry, grooming, medication management and other functions of daily living.
Here at Golden Age HomeAssisted Living (formerly known as GAH Personal Care), we refer to assisted living as residents who live independently in apartment style accommodation, and come and go as they please. We assist them by providing three meals daily, housekeeping, safety, security and some social programs. Additional planned care, such as bathing, laundry and assistance with medication is available upon request. We offer a supportive housing facility designed for those who need extra help in their day-to-day lives but who do not require the 24-hour skilled nursing care found in traditional nursing homes.
It is the policy of the Golden Age Home Assisted Living to support the desire of its residents for an independent lifestyle. In some cases a resident will not be able to meet the standards of independence required by Golden Age Home. If such a resident is able and willing to hire or provide outside assistance in order to meet the standard, he or she should be eligible to remain at Golden Age Home Assisted Living. Examples of outside assistance include home health services, private sitters, hospice, and family members who do personal services.
Services not provided
Golden Age Home Assisted Living does not provide bladder or bowel incontinence care, medication injections, eye drops, feeding of residents, intravenous therapy, oxygen administration, behavior management for verbal or physical aggression,transportation or provide special diets. Residents who are incontinent may receive assistance but must be largely responsible for their own care.
ADMISSION
Prior to being admitted to Golden Age Home Assisted Living there should be a facility tour by potential resident and family, an interview with both resident and family, an assessment of medical records, and a completed application.
During the admission process a physician’s statement of appropriateness of admission must be obtained by Golden Age Home requiring the resident to be seen by their primary physician either 30days before admission or 14 days afterwards.
- The contract for services must be signed and payment must be received prior to admission.
- Golden Age Home is required to perform a search of the Sex Offender Registry to determine if a prospective or new resident is listed on the registry.
TRANSFERS/DISCHARGES
The following could cause temporary transfer to skilled care:
- Drug stabilization
- Medical condition requiring 24-hour nursing care
- Resident requires services the facility does not provide
- Unable to maintain personal hygiene
- Unacceptable physical or verbal behavior
The following could cause permanent discharge:
- 24-hour nursing care
- Assistance in transferring to and from wheelchair
- Behavior management for verbal aggression
- Behavior management for physical aggression
- Bladder or Bowel incontinence care
- Feeding by staff
- Intravenous therapy
- Medication injections
- Oxygen administration
- Special diet needs
When required, the Assisted LivingDirector will determine whether or not discharge of a resident is necessary. In the event that discharge is required, families will be fully informed and consulted. They will receive assistance in making discharge plans.
It is the policy of the Golden Age Home Assisted Living to refund the balance of an account after discharge of a resident when all bills and damages owed to Golden Age Home have been deducted.
WHAT IS AN OMBUDSMAN?
The ombudsman is a specially trained and certified volunteer who advocates for quality care in Texas nursing facilities. Volunteers are supervised by professional staff ombudsmen who are part of the regional aging services network supported by the Texas Department on Aging.
An ombudsman:
- Provides information to residents and family about rights and procedures and helps identify additional resources in or out of the facility;
- Investigates and resolve complaints by or on behalf of nursing home and assisted living residents, and
- Works with residents, families, friends, and facility staff to resolve complaints and difficulties.
An ombudsman has the resources of the Texas Department on Aging and Disability Services and various other state and local regulatory agencies available to help resolve complaints and concerns.
WHEN SHOULD AN OMBUDSMAN BE CALLED?
Residents and family should try to resolve problems and differences with the facility staff whenever possible.
When this is not possible, or when the resident or family is unsure, a local ombudsman should be called. The ombudsman volunteer or regional staff ombudsman will assess the concerns and recommend possible courses of action. Often, the ombudsman can resolve the problems without involving other groups or agencies. Sometimes, the resident council or family support group is involved in the resolution.
When the ombudsman can’t resolve the problems, or when it involves serious abuse or neglect, the complaint is referred to the Texas Department on Aging and Disability Services or another appropriate agency. In all situations, the complaint is handled confidentially and information is not released without approval of the resident or legal guardian.
The ombudsman program is also a good source of information about selecting a long-term care facility, eligibility criteria, residents’ rights and other services for the elderly.
HISTORY OF GOLDEN AGE HOME
In the late 1950s it became apparent to many active Methodist Church members in central Texas that there was a need for a Christian environment for the elderly who could no longer maintain their own homes. There these ladies and gentlemen could receive necessary medical care, a balance diet, and planned activities. For several years a campaign to raise funds and community support was spurred by area Methodists.
Construction began in 1959 on a 100-bed home located on 20 acres just south of Lockhart. In 1960, one wing of the four-wing, cartwheel style building that had opened was set aside as an infirmary for those residents who became too ill to take care of themselves. The balance of the building housed retirees in the rural setting which allowed for gardens and landscaping by the residents.
Residents enjoyed a small chapel, activity room, and dining room, as well as their private living quarters. The popularity of the Golden Age Home quickly grew so that there was a waiting list for admission and only residents who could walk in and care for themselves were accepted.
By the late 1980s the needs of the community had changed. The Board of Directors decided to build a new, modern nursing facility to accommodate the increasing demands for nursing care. In 1990 the new 118-bed building opened and received its first residents from the original building. In turn, renovation was begun to convert the 1959 building into anAssisted Living facility. Additional renovation to the original building in 1997 yielded apartments for independent living and a wing of offices.
In 2010, the Board of Directors decided to downsize their assets and the Nursing Home was sold. Their goal was to focus more on Assisted Living residents. There are plans for an independent living apartment type complex to be built on the remaining acres owned by Golden Age Home.
THE GOLDEN AGE HOME GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE
In the event that a resident or family member has a concern related to Golden Age Home, it is helpful to direct that concern to the appropriate department head. If the department head is unavailable or unable to correct the problem, please get in touch with the Manager.
Nicole BurnettExecutive Director
Jessica SilvasDirector of Food Services
Val RamirezMaintenance
Summer HopkinsResident Care Manager
Working together, we should be able to resolve any situation. However, any dissatisfaction with our resolution should be directed to the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services,
1-800-458-9858.
RESIDENT COMPLAINTS
When a resident or his or her family member or advocate has a complaint about any issue related to Golden Age Home, the issue should first be discussed with the appropriate department head. If the complaint remains unresolved, it should be discussed with the Assisted Living Manager. The Assisted Living Manager may ask for the Ombudsman to become involved as a neutral party if appropriate. If all these avenues have been explored and the complaint still remains unresolved, it may be presented to the board of directors.
The procedure for making such a presentation to the board of directors is as follows:
Prepare a written complaint detailing the issue in question and mail it to the Board President, or contact any board member and request the complaint be placed on the agenda for the next board meeting. The person registering the complaint will then be responsible for presenting the complaint at the board meeting. In order to be placed on the agenda for a board meeting, the complaint must be received by the Board President or the Executive Director of Golden Age Home no later than the Friday before the board meeting.
PRIVACY
One of the goals of the staff of Golden Age Home is to treat each resident with dignity and afford them privacy whenever possible. This extends not only to the resident’s person but to their documents and diagnoses.
New regulations make it even more important that we respect the confidentiality of records for each of our residents. We will not communicate with others regarding our residents or their personal data unless we have permission and/or such communication is required for our business.
It is doubtful that a problem will arise, but if you have questions about confidentiality of records or our procedures, please feel free to call upon Director, Nicole Burnett, for further explanation.
DIRECTIVES CONCERNING END OF LIFE ISSUES
As we approach the end of our lives, through aging or through severe illness, we may wish to communicate with our loved ones and the professionals who care for us about our desires for that care. Each of us, regardless of age and infirmity, has a right to instruct or direct professionals in the care they give us. Our wishes regarding being fed by artificial means, being resuscitated, having surgery, taking medications, etc. should be followed by our caregivers, both professional and familial, whenever possible.
It is difficult to handle issues of choice when the patient cannot communicate because of physical or mental impairments. For that reason laws have been passed which allow each of us to express our desires in writing. In addition, those same laws allow us to designate a person to express our wishes and make decisions on our behalf. The person who is designated cannot overrule our instruction but can deal with specific decision that may need to be made.
Golden Age Home Assisted Living will honor and uphold all advanced directives established by each individual resident. When a question occurs, the resident and/or responsible party will be consulted and will maintain ultimate control and decision-making.
In the event of an emergency and a resident becomes incapable of communication or is incompetent and the responsible party/family cannot be reached, appropriate medical professionals will be contacted and provided a copy of any advanced directives.
It is this facility's policy not to initiate CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), but to contact emergency medical services via "911."
If a resident has not executed or issued advanced directives, the responsible party/family will be notified if a question occurs. However, in the event of an emergency, the appropriate medical professionals will be contacted and then the responsible party/family.
The Directive – This document allows the patient to direct the physician in the care expected. Family members cannot overrule the instruction given in this directive.
The Medical Power of Attorney – This document appoints an individual and a back up person to make specific decisions on behalf of the patient. The patient must no longer be competent to make decisions and instructions to the healthcare professionals in order for this to take effect. The person who has the medical power of attorney cannot overrule the wishes of the now incompetent resident, but must follow the guidelines which were set up prior to incompetence.
Document for the Incompetent Person – This document directs the professionals as to what the family believes would have been the choice for care if the question had been resolved prior to incompetence.
Out of Hospital DNR – This document is used when the patient is in a terminal condition and informs all caregivers, including the hospital and EMS what the preferences for care or refusing care are.
The resident or their responsible party may obtain Out-of-Hospital DNR’s from the Texas Medical Association (TMA) by calling the automated response number at 512-370-1306. Copies are also available in the admissions office.
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION
Activities
Structured activities are scheduled at least one to two hours per day. Music, arts, crafts and exercise, as well as other types of activities are offered. Refer to daily calendar of activities that is issued monthly.
Residents are sometimes taken on out-of-facility trips or to events if it is appropriate for their physical condition. Either a staff member or volunteer of the Golden Age Home will accompany them on the outing. Please inform us if there is any problem involved in your resident’s participation in such activities.
Assessment
Per Assisted Living regulations, staff will assess residents upon admission, annually and at any time that there is a change in physical or mental status. These assessments will be shared with residents, family members, residents’ home health providers and primary physicians.
If a resident exhibits behaviors which might threaten their ability to remain independent, information will be passed on to the family so that early interventions can be sought. If interventions are ineffective, the Director may request that the family relocate the resident to a nursing home or other appropriate facility. The resident and family may appeal this decision.
Bed Hold Policy
A resident’s room will be placed on bed hold when a resident leaves the facility due to a medical situation. The room will be held while a resident is in the hospital. If rehabilitation is necessary before a resident returns, then a resident’s room may be held for up to 100 days with the following conditions.