Frequently Asked Questions about Daughters of Israel

1. How does one apply for admission to Daughters of Israel?
   Contact our Social Services Department for an appointment at 973-400-3307. Hours are: Monday – Friday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Evening and Sunday appointments are also available.
   
   
2. What are the admission requirements?
   An applicant must be Jewish. Priority is given to those who require the most immediate service.
   
   
3. How long is the waiting period for admission?
   The waiting time varies, depending upon the circumstances and needs of the applicant. Our facility has six pavilions and residents are grouped homogeneously according to levels of medical needs, alertness, mobility, and care needs. Under most circumstances, admissions can be expedited if an appropriate placement is available.
   
   
4. Any suggestions on what can be done while awaiting admission?
   Our Social Services staff will be happy to assist with information about home health care, homemaker service, transportation service, counseling from the Jewish Family Service of MetroWest, HAREL senior housing with assistance or other housing alternatives that may be suitable.
   
   
5. If I know someone on the Board, would that improve the chances of my relative’s admission?
   No. On application, each individual’s medical and social needs are assessed. When an appropriate placement is available, the individual will be admitted.
   
   
6. If I contribute money to Daughters of Israel, will my relative be admitted sooner?
   No. While contributors are an important source of income for the Home, no preferential treatment is given to those who contribute to the Home. There is no entrance fee required for admission to Daughters of Israel.
   
   
7. Is a financial contribution to the facility ever required?
   Never. While a contribution is never required, each family is asked, after their relative is approved for admission, to consider a voluntary gift. Financial support from the community is important to provide the highest quality care. The Medicaid reimbursement we receive for most residents is nominal in comparison with the actual daily operating costs. The level of care and services we provide is above and beyond our state requirements.
   
   
8. Does Daughters of Israel accept persons who are on Medicaid?
   Yes, absolutely.
   
   
9. Am I required to turn over all of my relative’s assets to the Home?
   No. If your relative is admitted as a private-pay resident, we require three months’ security and the first month’s payment in advance. The escrow money is held in trust. Any remaining funds will be returned when your relative is no longer a resident of Daughters of Israel. If your relative is a Medicaid recipient, then his or her Social Security check, and any other monthly income as determined by Medicaid, must be turned over to the Home each month.
   
   
10. If my relative’s savings have been depleted, can he/she be considered for admission?
    Yes, provided an application to Medicaid for a skilled nursing facility including a Pre-Admission Screening (PAS) has been made and is being processed prior to admission. 
    
    
11. Will my relative’s place on the waiting list be affected if he/she is in another nursing facility?
    No. We understand that you may need to make temporary arrangements or an interim placement for your relative until he/she is offered placement at Daughters of Israel.
    
    
12. If my relative lives at The Charles Bierman Home or participates in the Adult Medical Day program will he/she have to re-apply to Daughters of Israel if and when the time comes for full-time skilled nursing care?
    No. An application to The Charles Bierman Home (Daughters of Israel’s housing with assistance program) is considered an application for Daughters of Israel’s long-term care facility.  Bierman residents receive special consideration for placement as well, if an appropriate space is available. Since the Day Center is not a residential program, the application is different.  Therefore, a Daughters of Israel application will need to be completed for admission to the Home.
    
    
13. Does Daughters of Israel accommodate short-term stays?
    Yes.  Residents are often admitted for a short-term stay for sub-acute care.  Our rehabilitation department is specially trained in occupational, physical and speech therapy.  Many residents return to their home after rehabilitation is complete.  Short term-stays are also available as respite care for the caregiver provided space is available and all application procedures have been completed.
    
    
14. Do accommodations and care differ for Medicaid residents or those who pay full costs?
    No. Equal care is provided to all residents regardless of payment source.
    
    
15. Are husbands and wives permitted to share the same room?
    Yes. Most couples live together, but depending on the circumstances, there may be times when it is preferable for the spouses to live separately.
    
    
16. What is the procedure for obtaining a private room, and is there an extra charge?
    If, a family requests a private room and one is available, there is a modest additional daily fee, regardless of whether they are Medicaid or private pay. If, however, a resident’s medical or psychosocial needs require privacy, as determined by the Daughters of Israel staff, he/she may become a candidate for a private room, at no extra charge. 
    
    
17. Which services are included in the basic rate?
    Your relative will receive more services at no extra charge at Daughters of Israel than at most other facilities.  Residents receive around-the-clock nursing care, room, board, laundry, the use of walkers and wheelchairs, and incontinence pads, when needed.  Medicaid residents do not pay for medications. Residents who pay privately are billed for medication directly from our pharmacy provider. The facility will bill Medicare if appropriate and applicable, and/or bill a third party payer when residents are eligible for additional services, such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and medical attention.
    
    
18. Are there extra costs?
    There are modest charges for non-covered services, such as beauty parlor, barber, coffee shop, dental care (unless covered by Medicaid), special trips or outings,  special meal or celebration programs and telephone hook-up and service.  Co-payment for services not covered by Medicare or third party payers including medications, is the responsibility of the resident who pays privately.
    
    
19. What other services are offered?
    Daughters of Israel provides a full complement of therapeutic activity programs, which encourages socialization and recreation.  Residents enjoy our beauty parlor, barbershop, gift shop, thrift shop, greenhouse, atrium, outdoor patios and gardens, coffee shop and in-house TV station. We also have a work activity center for those residents who are interested and able to participate.
    
    Traditional religious services are held daily, on the Sabbath and all Jewish holidays. We are pleased to have a synagogue and full-time Rabbi. Egalitarian services are held on Friday evenings. 
    
    
20. Can my relative retain his/her personal physician after becoming a resident?
    Yes. Most of our residents utilize the services of our medical staff and nurse practitioners, under the direction of our full-time Medical Director, who is a Board Certified Geriatrician. Your personal physician may be retained by arrangement with the Medical Director.
    
    
21. If my relative has to be hospitalized, will he/she lose their bed?
    No. When appropriate arrangements are made, the bed is retained for the resident until he/she returns to Daughters of Israel. Currently, Medicaid provides up to 10 days of bed hold payment to the Home for a Medicaid recipient.  After 10 days, payment can be made to continue to hold the bed. Private pay residents must pay the full per diem rate to Daughters of Israel during the hospital stay in order to retain a bed.
    
    
22. Is there help available for me while my relative is adjusting to living at Daughters of Israel?
    Yes. Our Social Services Department is available to help with adjustment. Volunteer Family Council members also will help you, or offer your family member a “buddy” to help them adjust.  We are also pleased to offer caregiver support groups and services in conjunction withElderLink, a service of Jewish Family Services of MetroWest.
    
    
23. Do you serve kosher meals?
    Yes. Daughters of Israel adheres to kosher dietary laws. We ask all residents and family members to respect this policy. A copy of this policy can be obtained from the Social Service department.
    
    
24. What are the visiting hours, and are small children and pets welcome at the Home?
    Visiting hours are regularly 8:00 am to 8:00pm. Children of all ages are welcome. We only ask that you show consideration to other residents and not visit inside semi-private rooms too late in the evening.  Pets are also permitted, however you must contact the Activities Department in advance for the regulations related to pet visits.
    
    
25. Can my relative leave the facility for a special occasion or even overnight?
    Yes.  Outside functions, family celebrations and visits are encouraged! There are restrictions regarding overnight stays for residents on Medicare.
    
    
26. How does my relative gain admittance to The Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey Alzheimer's Special Care Unit at Barnhard Pavilion?
    Your relative should have a primary diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease or a related dementia from your doctor.  Our Social Service staff will advise you of space availability and outline the additional guidelines to our regular admission procedures.