Archives for 2023

When we think of being discharged from the hospital, we usually picture ourselves or our loved ones going home. But many patients hospitalized for disease or injury need to take an in-between step first for rehabilitation (or “rehab”). That means spending time in a skilled nursing facility (SNF) or rehab center to recover.

Often, these visits include some sort of daily therapy including physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy (rehab focused on regaining the ability to do daily activities such as brushing your hair), or some other kind of supervised and/or guided therapy.

Sounds straightforward? It can be. But where it gets complicated is when hospitals direct patients to their own facilities. This is obviously good for the hospitals, but it’s not always good for patients. For example,

• Is the SNF they are recommending in or near your hometown?
• Is it convenient for your visiting family and friends?
• Will you get the rehab services you need?

We are not suggesting that hospitals would ever put their patients at risk. Usually, it’s as simple as (a) they have developed their own pathways for care from acute care to rehab to home, and (b) they don’t necessarily know what other facilities are out there that might be better for your needs. That’s left in the hands of the patient and caregiver – as it should be.

Further, many people don’t realize that they can plan for their SNF before they go into the hospital. For example, if you are going in for surgery and you know ahead of time that you’ll spend time in a SNF, you can make those arrangements well before the surgery itself. Again, the social workers at hospitals typically outline a path for rehab. But what they may not share is you are also free to do your own research to find exactly the type of facility that suits you best. In fact, I would encourage you to do your homework!

Copley at Stoughton is one of the few independent, locally owned SNFs in Massachusetts. Aside from other things, that means we are not affiliated with any one hospital or health network; we work with all of them. We accept all forms of medical insurance including Medicare and Medicaid, so your rehab will be covered no matter what. Plus, Copley at Stoughton is ranked as one of the best SNFs in the country. 

Not sure if we take your insurance? Is someone telling you that you can’t do your rehab at Copley or any other independent SNF? Contact us and get the facts directly from us!

Wishing you a speedy recovery, no matter where you get your rehab.

Steve Tyer

We always want the best for ourselves and our loved ones, especially when it comes to healthcare. We’re fortunate to be close to Boston, which is home to some of the best hospitals in the country. But when it comes to long-term care or short-term rehab for a loved one, the best care could very well be right around the corner.

Location plays a big part in selecting these services, but convenience shouldn’t be a priority over quality care and affordability. Luckily, Copley at Stoughton meets all these requirements. In fact, Copley was rated one of the Best Nursing Homes in the United States by U.S. News and World Report. 

Community connection is important in health care. Copley is part of the Stoughton culture. The fact that we are a Skilled Nursing Facility means that we are a temporary home for people of all ages here for rehabilitation and recovery or home to someone in need of long-term care. We touch the lives of so many of our residents, both directly and indirectly.

Copley’s close-knit feeling of family and community leads to world-class care. I know many people are comforted by the fact that they can get what they need without having to go far. Providing this comfort to our “neighbors” is something we are very proud of too.

Steve Tyer

In past blog posts, we have briefly touched upon the CHOICE you have when it comes to finding a post-acute care provider or skilled nursing facility (SNF) that is suitable for a loved one or you. Staying informed and knowing what you are looking for makes the process much easier. We, more than anyone, hope that you never have to use a SNF in your lifetime, but you should prepare for instances down the road where you may need one. With life’s unexpected accidents and people living longer, it is important to look at all your SNF options in advance. You NEVER want to settle for somewhere you do not feel comfortable, and in a moment of panic, it is easy to be swayed to make a decision based off of urgency and convenience.

Start your research early on by asking around about other people’s experiences with skilled nursing facilities in the area. More likely than not, someone you already know has had to utilize the professional services of a SNF for themselves or a loved one. These first hand experiences will be great resources as you start to look into your SNF options. Once you have a solid list of reputable facilities, the next step is to start setting up tours.

When you go on a tour of a potential skilled nursing facility, it is important to look beyond the physical appearance of the facility, although that will be a major factor in your decision. A few things to pay attention to while on your tour are:

1)    The Residents- Do they seem happy and content? The way the residents feel is a great indication of the care they are receiving.

2)    Are your questions being answered? A skilled nursing facility that has nothing to hide will be transparent and responsive about your questions and concerns.

3)    Who made time to speak with you? If the admissions director or facility administrator didn’t make time for you, who did? It is important you do not feel ignored or rushed out the door because they have more important things going on.

4)    The Overall Vibe- Once you pay attention to these aspects during your tour, you’re going to be left with an overall “vibe” of the facility. As you are leaving, ask yourself if you would feel comfortable admitting a loved one to recuperate there based off of everything you just saw.

Once you decide which SNF best meets your needs, remember that the process does not end there. Throughout your entire time at a SNF it is crucial to speak up and have all of your concerns dealt with. Speaking up about something that is wrong or makes you uncomfortable is an important way to prevent future problems and maintain your happiness. A reputable SNF will always encourage and solicit your feedback.

I know we all want to put COVID behind us but unfortunately, Copley does not have that luxury, particularly as variants of the virus continue to emerge. We are home to a vulnerable population, and it is our job and responsibility to keep them safe above all else. That means adhering to our infection control protocols for as long as COVID remains in our community. Despite our efforts, we’ve had an uptick in cases over the last several weeks.  The most likely way for one of our residents to catch COVID is from a visitor who is unknowingly positive and symptom-free. The protocols we’ve put in place may seem overly protective, but they are based on CDC guidelines and recommendations from health professionals. We want to do everything in our power to reduce the spread and ask that everyone take responsibility for keeping our residents healthy.

Here’s what Copley continues to do to reduce the risk of spread:

• We continue regular testing of all staff – at least weekly and more in some cases.
• If someone tests positive for COVID, that person leaves the building immediately and must wait five days, be symptom- free and have a negative test before returning to work.
• Staff who are not feeling well are encouraged to test and/or stay home.
• Hand sanitizers are now installed in every resident’s room, and staff sanitize when entering and leaving to further reduce the risk.
• Mask use is mandatory for all staff.
• If a resident tests positive, we put extra protocols in place to protect our staff for their own health and to reduce the risk of spread to other residents.

And here is what we ask of you:

• Please do not  visit if you are feeling unwell.
• Test before coming to visit. If that test comes back positive, please stay away for at least five days.  If you are symptom-free and test negative, you can visit.
• Wear a mask whenever visiting Copley including inside the room of your loved one. Mask use is mandatory for all staff and strongly encouraged for visitors(but optional for residents).
• Use hand sanitizer when entering and leaving the building, and again when you’re entering and leaving your loved one’s room. 

As frustrating as it is, we must all continue to do our part to keep everyone at Copley safe for the sake of our loved ones. That means very simple things such as wearing a mask and washing our hands. Those two actions alone will greatly reduce the risk of COVID.

Thank you for your continued help and vigilance. 

-Steve Tyer