FAQs

Whether you’re choosing short-term or long-term, nursing or rehabilitative care, chances are that getting to this point has been a little confusing and difficult!  At Penacook Place, we recognize that families need help, and we try to make the admission process as easy as possible for you.

With that in mind, the following information will hopefully get you started.

I need help and information concerning the possibility of having a loved one admitted

Call our Admissions Coordinator, Maureen Blake, at our main number 978-374-0707.  Maureen will set up an appointment with you to meet your schedule and needs.  Also, you are welcome to stop by anytime to discuss an admission of a loved one.

Absolutely.  We cordially welcome anyone to tour our facility at any time.  Choosing the right home for residency or a stay during a rehabilitation program is a very important decision.  People need to tour a facility to ensure that they are making the best decision for themselves or a loved one.

One does not have to use our Medical Director, the physician who is available to all residents of Penacook Place.  You are welcome to retain your current physician if this is workable with him/her.

Penacook Place is a certified skilled nursing facility that has approved eligibility from the federal Medicare program and the state Medicaid program (Mass. Health).  And, of course, we accept private payers, long-term care insurance and other appropriate payment sources.

Our Admissions Coordinator will review all the required paperwork with you very carefully.  We provide a good deal of reading material and forms to sign, but we carefully walk you through every step.  A member of our Social Services team will also meet with you to review the forms to read and sign.

What types of information are available to me from Penacook Place?

This is a very difficult decision for many people. The entire staff of Penacook Place is highly supportive and conscientious in helping to bring about a smooth and happy transition to a new home.  The Social Services staff is especially focused on working with a new resident and the family to ensure that they feel comfortable in this new situation as they make this transition.

We have a brochure and a packet of very helpful information.  The Admissions Coordinator can provide you with this at any time.

Penacook Place is a not-for-profit facility that is managed by a community-based Board of Directors.  Both the Chief Executive Officer/President and Chief Financial Officer of Penacook are licensed nursing home administrators who oversee the day-to-day operations.  The Board and the entire staff are ultimately accountable and answer to the residents of Penacook Place.

Yes, absolutely.  We operate and exist for the sole purpose of providing a caring home for its residents. We are not profit-driven or motivated.  And, unlike a for-profit facility, all revenue that exceeds expenses is directed back into the facility for programs, maintenance and improvements.

After my family member has been admitted

The Director of Social Services provides family counseling for families having difficulty with their decision.  We help families to understand that nursing homes are not what they used to be, having now evolved into resident-centered institutions.  Additionally, nursing homes are one of the most highly regulated industries in America, which works to everyone’s benefit.

Yes, a quarterly care-planning meeting is held for every resident and family to review the resident’s care and progress, and we encourage your input at those times. We are more than willing to talk to you in between those meetings as well.

     In addition, there is an established Resident Council that meets monthly to review all the services and departments of Penacook (such areas as laundry, housekeeping, dining services and nursing services) and to make recommendations about each of them.

Penacook has a first class Recreation Therapy department. Every day, a variety of activities and recreation are offered to residents.  We offer traditional activities such as BINGO, knitting class and music concerts as well as challenging activities such as computer lessons, art class and armchair aerobics. We publish a monthly schedule, and recommend that you take a look at it.

Absolutely. All activities are open to families.  In addition, we offer a periodic resident/family brunch, which provides families, residents and the staff of Penacook with an opportunity to meet and become better acquainted.

Yes, residents have all the same rights that they enjoyed in the community – nothing is lost. We also provide within the admissions packet the list of residents’ rights as stated in Massachusetts State Regulation #483.10.

The Business Office manages all billing on behalf of our residents.  For those in the process of applying for Medicaid eligibility, the Business Office Team will assist with the Medicaid application process. They manage disbursements of a resident’s money from their personal needs account, as well as the Medicaid disbursement of the $60 per month allowance for the personal needs of Medicaid eligible residents.

Yes, every resident and the family are apprised of the name of the Social Worker involved in their care.  The Social Worker is the primary contact for suggestions, questions and grievances. In addition, residents and family should always feel comfortable going to the Unit Manager or Charge Nurse who is assigned to the resident’s unit.

What other assistance is available to a resident?

The Social Worker will have been working closely with the Rehab professionals to plan for the transition back into the resident's home in the community. This planning process will ensure that all the appropriate home care services as well as continuing care will have been arranged for by the time of discharge.

Penacook’s nursing and social services staffs work together when admission to a local hospital becomes necessary. We contact the family when admission to and discharge from a hospital take place.

We are very supportive during this process.  We have trained our staff on the sensitivities and the level of care to be provided at this time.  We also provide hospice care to our resident and family during this time.

Hopefully these “frequently asked questions” and their answers have covered most of what you wanted to know. However, if we have overlooked anything, please send us a note or give us a call and tell us what we missed. That way we can first respond to you and, second, include that information for others who may likewise be interested in knowing the answer.

Finally, to be sure you receive the assistance you most need

For rapid response when a person must be admitted quickly: The Receptionist or Charge Nurse on duty will page Maureen Blake or another member of the Admissions team to expedite an emergency admission as quickly as possible.

Thank you for your interest in and consideration of Penacook Place.

For more details about our services, click on the following link that will direct you to the services page of our website: www.penacookplace.org/services.htm

 Go to www.masspro.org, click on “Info for Patients & Families” at the top of the page, scroll down to almost the bottom of the page and click on “Nursing Home Checklist.”

 On July 14, 2005, the Medicare Nursing Home Compare web site at www.medicare.gov was refreshed with new quality measure data on every Medicare certified nursing home in the nation.