Group of seniors having tea and talking with nurse.

Resources

Preparing For Your Stay Ahead Of Move-in Day

Before you move your loved one into a skilled nursing facility, it’s very helpful to take the time to meet with the staff, and to share some background on the new resident. What types of care has he/she received? What worked and what did not? Provide specific information on any current problems, along with any information that might help with the transition, and make us aware of any issues. Read our website to get as much information as you can about what to expect on move-in day. It usually helps for a family to decide on one family member who will be the primary point of contact with Holy Trinity staff. This person can then communicate information to other family members.

After Admission

Once a resident is admitted, our nursing staff, rehab staff, dietary staff and activities staff will do an evaluation for the new resident, and design a plan of care. In addition, a social worker on our staff is assigned to each resident. The resident’s plan of care incudes all medications, treatments, and rehab activities. We have our own contracted pharmacy, from which we order all resident medications.

A short time after the plan of care is created, there is some admissions paperwork to be completed. On move-in day, be prepared to stay the day, to allow time to address questions that may come up, and to support your loved one in the transition.

During the Stay

Becoming a partner with the staff and an advocate for your loved one is important for a successful stay. The staff’s input is shared with you, and your communication to staff is crucial. Try to attend scheduled Care Conferences. Get to know the staff who will be caring for your loved one. Here at Holy Trinity, we believe that open communication is essential, and we want to keep an open dialogue with you. We communicate individually, and also to all residents’ families in group emails, texts and updates which we send frequently. We use the messaging app VoiceFriend to communicate with families. We also hold Resident Family Council meetings every month, and recommend that you participate, to give us feedback about your experiences.

What to Pack

We recommend you leave all family heirlooms, items of great value, large amounts of cash, and medications at home. For both long-term care and short-term care, family members can drop off any items a resident would like to have, at any time.

Holy Trinity provides wifi, cable TV and phone jacks. Residents provide their own phones and TV sets.

View and/download our What to Pack Checklist.

Documents and items to bring:

  • Name and phone number of the primary care physician
  • A list of phone numbers of relatives, friends and emergency contacts
  • Prescription plan ID cards
  • Living will or advance directives, and power of attorney if applicable

Personal items:

  • Splints, braces, orthotics
  • Hearing aids
  • Dentures, supplies and containers
  • Preferred toothbrush and toothpaste, if desired. We supply personal products, but residents sometimes prefer their own.
  • Favorite personal care products, such as makeup, body powder, aftershave lotion, hair care supplies such as comb or brush, deodorant. There is an on-site beauty salon and barber shop.

Clothing:

  • At least one week’s worth of clothing, with items clearly labeled with resident’s name
  • Cozy non-skid socks or non-skid slippers
  • Soft-soled rubber or athletic shoes with non-skid soles
  • Home-wear such as underwear, pajamas, nightgown, and robe
  • Comfortable casual clothes, such as t-shirts, sweatpants, sweatshirts
  • Sweater, vest or light jacket, due to tendency of residents to feel cold
  • Shorts may be needed for those who have had leg surgery
  • A cozy lap blanket or comforter that is machine washable

Personal interest items

Books, tapes, religious texts of choice, puzzles, playing cards, adult coloring books, drawing supplies, a bin of favorite arts and crafts, scrapbooking materials, etc. Radio, TV set, phones and chargers.

Avoid anything that could be a health hazard for residents, such as candles, sharp scissors, knives, or other sharp objects

Finding The Right Care For Your Loved One

Placing a parent or loved one in a nursing home is likely to be one of the toughest decisions that family caregivers face. And you probably have many questions. There are a number of organizations and resources you can access to help you make the best decisions. Our Admissions Office is happy to help you through this process, but feel free to check out the additional websites and resources listed below: