Q: If I take a tour of The Sarah Roberts French Home and would like to become a resident what happens next? A: The Admissions Coordinator will need your contact information and you will be asked to sign a Medical Release Form so that we can obtain medical records that will be used by the Admission Nurse Assessor to become acquainted with your medical needs. Upon receipt and review of the medical records, the Nurse Assessor will then contact you and arrange a visit to ensure that we can meet the resident’s medical needs (and if coming in under Medicaid, to ensure the criteria for medical necessity will be met).
Q: Will the nurse assessor be able to tell me during his/her visit if I will be admitted to The Sarah Robertts French Home? A: There are a few more steps before a decision to admit can be made. He/She will want to consult with the Director of Nursing so that we can be sure that our home will meet all of your needs.
Q: Does this nursing home really accept residents who cannot pay for nursing care? A: Yes, Sarah Roberts was founded as a not-for-profit nursing facility. We provide a home for residents who have Medicaid, who are Medicaid pending and/or those who may be able to pay (private pay).
Q: How long does it take for the state to notify us if we are eligible or not for Medicaid? A: To be eligible to receive Medicaid benefits for long term care you must have resided in a nursing home for 30 days. The Medicaid Eligibility Caseworker will then begin to process your application. The entire process can take up to 90 days or longer. Our home is one of the few nursing homes that accept Medicaid-pending residents.
Q: Can I be admitted to your nursing home while I am waiting to be approved for Medicaid? A: Yes. If the nurse assessment team is confident that we can meet your needs, you can be admitted while you are waiting for Medicaid approval.
Q: Will I have to pay any money during the assessment process? A: No, there is no payment made to the home until admission has been granted.
Q: How much will I pay if I am a Private-pay resident? A: Private pay residents pay a “set fee” per day that covers “room and board”, which is inclusive of the 24 hour nursing care. Other provider fees are paid by you directly to that provider unless covered by Medicare or other insurance, i.e., lab work, x-ray, pharmacy, physician, etc.
Please feel free to call the business office for current rates at (210) 736-4238.
Daily Living
Q: How many meals per day are provided? A: Three healthy meals a day and three snacks are provided. A special meal can be brought in by family or friends (as long as the nurse on duty is notified).
Q: When can I have visitors? A: Visiting hours are between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. There is no limit on the amount of people that may visit at one time. The solarium, library or front porch can be used for single or group visits to give you more privacy.
Q: Will a priest or pastor come to The Sarah Roberts French Home? A: Yes, during the admission process we will be asking whether you would like to participate in religious services and note your preferences.
Q: Does The Sarah Roberts French Home have any activities during the holidays? A: Yes, there are a number of special occasions that we celebrate. We also invite your relatives to share a special Thanksgiving and Christmas meal with you. Our residents always look forward to these festive occasions.
Q: Can I go to visit my relatives or friends? A: Of course, a resident may leave the home on pass for up to 72 hours. (The staff will provide a snack if requested and the resident's medicines if a resident is away for an afternoon with family).
Q: What sort of activities can the residents look forward to at The Sarah Roberts French Home? A: Our activities director posts a calendar each month that includes arts and crafts time, lotteria (bingo), exercising, socializing with other residents and various forms of entertainment. Beauty treatments such as afternoon manicures are very popular.
Q: Can I have a television in my room? A: Yes, basic cable service is provided, but you must provide an appropriate size television that is cable ready if you would like to have a television in your room.
Q: Is a telephone allowed in the room? A: Yes, but your family must arrange for service to be provided and must pay the phone company directly.
Q: Will I have a private room? A: Unfortunately, there are only a few private rooms at The Sarah Roberts French Home. Two residents share most of our rooms. If you feel strongly about having a private room, please ask the admissions co-ordinator to put you on the waiting list and you will be notified as soon as one becomes available.
Q: May I bring personal furniture? A: Yes, our home provides a bed, bedside table, chair, and closet (sometimes with drawer space). An additional chest of drawers, bedside table of your own or a television might be wanted as long as there is enough space for a wheelchair to move comfortably in the room.
Q: How many clothes can be brought? A: It is suggested that a wardrobe be kept for the current season with approximately seven changes of clothing, as closet space is limited.
Q: Is my family responsible for additional clothes? A: Yes, and your Medicaid personal needs monthly allowance of $60.00 can be used.
Q: Can I bring valuables? A: No, expensive jewelry and heirlooms should be left with family. Our facility cannot be responsible for your valuables.
Q: Are there security guards at The Sarah Roberts French Home? A: No, however, the premises are electronically monitored, nurses are always on duty and doors are locked after visiting hours.
Q: Are there any rules about residents who are smokers? A: Yes, our home cannot accept residents who smoke.
Q: What if I am admitted and after a month I am unhappy living at The Sarah Roberts French Home? A: We encourage you to let us know whenever you have concerns so that we can address them in a timely manner. In addition, your family can talk to our social worker on staff. She is available Monday – Friday during regular business hours. She will be able to listen to your concerns and together with your family, you will be given some possible alternatives.
Medical Care
Q: Will my family doctor have to come to the home to see me? A: You are welcome to use your own physician. Be advised though, most doctors do not make house calls. Our home has a medical director available from the Centric Physicians Group who serves as an attending physician visiting our residents once a week. In addition a nurse practitioner also comes once a week.
Q: Who else will be at the home to help me if I get sick or need my medicine? A: Registered nurses and/or licensed vocational nurses are available 24 hours a day to keep you healthy and to give you any medicines that might be prescribed. Nurses’ aides will help you with bathing, grooming, eating, and transporting you to and from your room and to daily activities.
Q: What happens if I need to go to the hospital? A: By having professional nursing staff on duty 24 hours a day, you can rest comfortably knowing that if your health should require hospitalization, it is only a phone call away. The nurse will then notify your loved ones. During your hospital stay, a room-hold goes into effect and stays in place until you or your family notify us differently.
Q: Will I be able to get therapy without going out? A: Of course, we conveniently provide many types of therapy at SRFH, including: speech, occupational, and physical therapy. We also provide restorative nursing therapy to help residents maintain their good health.
Q: What about dental care? A: Medicaid will cover some dental needs. Anything not covered is the resident/responsible party's responsibility. For further information please ask the admission's coordinator.