FAQs Say Grace!

Assisted living is a good option for people who need more help with daily living that can include help with medication. Some assisted living communities consist of apartment style homes while others provide a room, which may or may not be private.

Most communities provide a large dining area and many common areas including outdoor patios for fresh air.

A nursing home may be a good choice if:

• Both medical and personal care needs have become too great to handle at home or in another senior living community. This may be due to a recent hospitalization, or a chronic illness, which has gradually been worsening.
• Your parent needs a higher level of care temporarily after a hospitalization, but it's anticipated you will be able to return to home or another campus after a period of time.

Unlike traditional apartment living, assisted communities do not require a lease or long-term commitment. Rent is month-to-month and residents can move out after any length of time. However, 30 days notice is typically required.

Exceptions to this notice may include a physician-ordered transfer to a higher level of care or the community’s ability to provide adequate care based upon increasing care needs.

In most states, regulations for assisted facilities require an all-or-nothing approach to medication management. If a resident requires assistance with medications, the medications are ordered, stored and administered by the personnel of assisted facilities.

Medication reminders often lead to liability issues with errors related to incorrect dosages, taking the wrong medication or forgetting to take medications despite reminders. Family members may provide reminders if they feel comfortable with this approach.

Residents do not have to eat every meal provided by assisted facilities. However, in most cases, monthly fees will not be reduced or ‘unbundled’ if a resident chooses to eat fewer meals. In providing the assisted living lifestyle, facilities recognize the importance of proper nutrition and hydration. In fact, a poor diet is frequently the cause of health problems for seniors living alone in their own homes.

The opportunity for social interaction throughout the day is another important reason for providing three meals as part of a healthy lifestyle. If, however, a resident is ill and cannot eat in the dining room, they can have a limited number of meals delivered to their apartment at no cost or for a minimal charge.

Transportation to medical appointments is usually provided within a particular radius of or proximity to the campus. It is also common for communities to provide transportation for this purpose on particular days of the week in order to reserve other days for off-site activities and other types of outings.

In recent years, however, ‘unscheduled transportation’ for an additional fee has become more commonly available. For residents with chronic illnesses that require frequent, regularly scheduled appointments such as renal dialysis, an alternate source of transportation is often required.

While visitors are usually required to sign in and out for security purposes, there are no restrictions on when family members can visit residents in their home. After business hours, the exterior doors to communities are locked and visitors can use a key if they were issued one upon their family member’s move-in.

Alternately, assisted communities are staffed 24 hours a day to provide a safe and secure environment so personnel will let visitors into the building unless there are extenuating circumstances.

We recommend at least seven complete outfits. Appropriate clothing is usually considered to be slacks, shirts or tops, dresses, sweatsuits, sweater, nightgown/sleepwear, and underwear. Shoes or slippers should have nonslip soles.

As a general rule, clothing should be roomy and have large enough openings that they can be put on and removed with a minimum of stress to both the resident and the clothing.

• Personal laundry service is provided by the facility.
• Clothing should be machine washable and dryable.
• Each item of clothing should be indelibly marked with the resident’s name (first initial and last name).
• Families should expect to assist in maintaining the resident’s wardrobe.

Residents and families are encouraged to personalize their room with pictures, plants, mementos, and other items to make for a homey atmosphere. A favorite chair should be of a vinyl or leather type material. We discourage residents from keeping valuable items, such as expensive jewelry and large sums of money in their rooms. The community cannot take responsibility for such items. Some residents with varying degrees of dementia may not recognize the value of an item and may unintentionally discard or misplace it.

Please be sure to include the resident’s first and last name when sending mail. All personal mail is delivered unopened to each resident. Upon resident or family request, helpful staff or volunteers can assist with opening and reading mail.

Making the decision as to how much care is needed can be difficult. That’s why seeking a physician’s assistance, along with counseling by qualified professionals, is appropriate. At Grace Lutheran Communities, we have experienced staff available to help make an assessment and discuss your options with you and your family. By doing so, we can help you determine the best community for your situation and care level. In addition, our staff is able to help you with any necessary paperwork and financial information.

Intermediate care is appropriate for persons who may need some nursing intervention, but not on a continuous basis. Rehabilitation programs, activities and personal care assistance are available, and the care is provided under the direction of a physician. Grace Lutheran Communities is able to offer intermediate care as appropriate. This will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Skilled nursing care is appropriate when the patient needs ongoing nursing intervention and supervision following an illness or a chronic condition. It is also appropriate for short-term intensive physical, occupational or speech rehabilitation therapy. The resident’s care is under the direction of a physician.

Nursing homes are designed to care for individuals who are unable to care for themselves and have numerous healthcare requirements. Assisted living facilities are designed to help persons who are able to care for themselves except for a few everyday activities. Our goal is to create an environment for each resident to maintain his or her independence for as long as possible. They offer help with activities of daily living (ADLs), such as: preparing meals, bathing, taking medications, dressing and performing household chores. In addition, our assisted living communities may also be appropriate for those who may be experiencing some memory problems, which interfere with their ability to manage ADLs on a regular basis.

Our team can provide continued assessment and treatment, nutritional support, assistance with self-care and activities of daily living, if needed.

In order to meet the needs of each individual at every stage of his or her recovery, our facilities provide a wide range of rehabilitation services. We can assist with physical, cognitive, psychosocial and/or communication impairments while our rehabilitation services include nursing, physical, occupational and speech therapy. Our personalized treatment plan addresses unique recovery needs to help meet your loved one’s goals. This team approach is in place to help improve everyone’s quality of life. You are what matters most.

Grace Lutheran Communities provides short-term rehabilitation residents the care necessary for clinical needs and to improve quality of life. 

Your admission begins with your discharge plan home. Our primary focus is on accelerating the healing process and returning you home following a successful rehab stay. Our excellent staff of experienced therapists work with you throughout your stay and share your goal of a successful rehab. We have a therapy gym designed and equipped to meet your therapy treatment needs and we conduct a safety assessment of your home prior to discharge.

• Private Room
• 32" Cable TV
• Wi-Fi
• Private phone
• Separate, direct entry into our rehab residence
• Private rehab residence dining room for all meals
• Rehab residence kitchen access for snacks at any time
• Spend time with family in friends in our rehab residence lounge, or relax in front of the fireplace
• Medical appointment transportation
• Pre-admission insurance verification

To arrange a personal visit and tour please contact the Director of Admissions & Social Services at (715) 598-7800.

Your timely return to your own home and lifestyle is the ultimate goal of Grace Lutheran Communities' inpatient rehabilitation program.

Whether you're recovering from a recent hospitalization or simply looking to regain functional abilities, our interdisciplinary team of licensed physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists works together with you and your doctor to optimize your health and functionality.

If longer-term therapy is appropriate, we offer complete restorative and maintenance programs to facilitate independence and enhance quality of life in a supportive, Christian atmosphere.

Our inpatient rehab department offers:

• Excellent staffing ratio exceeding Medicare recommendations
• The most cost-effective rehab program in the Chippewa Valley
• Discharge planning
• Resident/family conferences and education
• Specialized rehabilitation floor
• Transportation to medical appointments
• Therapy available seven days a week
• Peace of mind from our continuum of care

After suffering an illness or injury, effective rehabilitation can be the key to restoring or maximizing function and enjoyment in your daily life. When appropriate treatment includes physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech-language therapy, Grace Lutheran Communities has an outpatient rehab program customized to work specifically with you and your doctor.

Our therapists utilize state-of-the-art medical equipment and develop specific treatment plans to address problem areas including:

• stroke or other neurological diagnoses
• arthritis
• lower back pain
• injury or surgery to the back, hip, knee, etc.
• illness that impairs function like CHF or COPD
• muscle strains, tendonitis/ligament strains
• limb fractures
• limb ligament or tendon repairs
• shoulder injuries, including rotator cuff tears
• voice disorders
• speech-language deficits
• traumatic brain injury
• reduced breath capacity
• laryngeal trauma
• swallowing/chewing deficits

Ultimately, Grace Lutheran Communities’ outpatient rehabilitation enables you to participate more fully in the activities that bring you daily enjoyment and satisfaction. We have already helped so many Chippewa Valley residents regain function, independence, and confidence in themselves. Contact us today to find the expertise and encouragement to help restore your wellbeing.

• Medicare
• Medicaid
• Private insurance
• Medicare Advantage Plans
• Private pay
• Family care

During the assessment and admission process, payer sources and coverage details are verified.

Grace Lutheran Communities is licensed through the state of Wisconsin as a skilled nursing facility.