Care & Service
Skilled and Short Term Nursing
ERCC's nursing staff includes more than 75 professionals who work with physicians to provide a full range of skilled and daily care.
Whether residents need IV therapies, feeding tubes, catheters, wound care, vaccinations or other treatments, ERCC is prepared to meet the needs. Patient, caring staff members also help with activities of daily living such as eating, dressing and bathing.
State regulations require certain levels of staff for each shift, but ERCC consistently exceeds those figures.
ERCC offers Skilled Nursing care for qualified patients. Treatments range from rehabilitation of many types (cardiac, joint replacement, physical, for example) to IV therapy. Trained social workers can provide more information on Medicare coverage policies for Skilled Nursing stays.
Memory Loss Care
Keeping active is one of the best ways to combat the memory loss that can come with age. The ERCC Activities Department places special emphasis on that issue with its "Sensory Stimulation" groups.
Residents touch, taste, smell and hear a variety of elements to help stimulate short- and long-term memories. Objects often include familiar seasonal items such as snowballs or flowers.
Even as people reach the point where they may not respond as they once did, Sensory Stimulation activities can make a big difference. Videos of animals, for example, frequently bring smiles to faces.
In addition, expressive art therapist Linda Zimmer regularly visits ERCC with her creative puppetry and therapy dog. She also sings and plays music. Her one-on-one sessions with people suffering from dementia provide a bright spot in many lives.
Beauty Shop
We understand that people want to look their best, and our beauty shop helps meet that goal. Longtime stylist Karen Preston is available to residents, generally working at ERCC one day a week or by appointment.
If you have a particular beautician who has provided your hair care over the years, he or she can continue that at ERCC. Certain rules and regulations are in place. Please call HR Director Grace Roy for details and to set up an appointment.
Spiritual Care
ERCC is exceptionally fortunate to have the services of a chaplain whenever the need arises. The Rev. Dr. Basil Hensley is available to serve the spiritual needs of residents and family members at ERCC.
If you have a particular religious preference, we of course will work with the clergy person of your choosing to assist in your spiritual care. Services from a wide variety of denominations are conducted at ERCC each month.
Transportation
Two handicapped-accessible vans are available to meet the needs of patients and residents. Our full-time driver can take people to local appointments or special events.
A number of other ERCC staff members are certified to provide transportation as well, with a car available in addition to the vans.
Laundry
We want people to feel comfortable in their own clothes, and ERCC provides laundry service for individuals as well as for the facility as a whole. It's all part of our effort to make residents' new setting as home-like as possible.
Patient Trust Accounts
One of the difficult transitions for long-term care residents can be a loss of independence. ERCC does everything possible to help people maintain as much control of their situations as they can.
Patient Trust Accounts are one way to do that. Residents or families can establish an interest-bearing account through Mountain Valley Bank, making money available as appropriate. It also provides peace of mind for those who want to be able to purchase incidentals but prefer not to keep large amounts of cash with them.
Money can be used for a purchase at the ERCC gift shop, for care at the beauty salon, or to allow a staff member to fulfill requests for incidental items from a local store.
Statements are sent out every three months informing residents and/or family members of the account balance and activity. Social Security money can be placed directly into the accounts, or family members can add funds as they choose.
Hospice Care
If it becomes appropriate, ERCC social workers will work with the hospice agency of your choosing to provide appropriate care for your loved one. Hospice groups may provide additional resources above and beyond what ERCC makes available.
Financial Options
We're committed to assisting people find the most cost-effective way to pay for their time at ERCC. Numerous options exist including:
Private Pay: People may choose to be billed in advance monthly for their room and board, with ancillary charges billed at the end of each month. Necessary prescriptions can be billed to insurance companies, with patients responsible for co-payments.
Medicaid: Some people may qualify for the state of West Virginia's Medicaid program. The appropriate share for the individual is determined through the local Department of Health and Human Resources office. For more information see www.wvdhhr.org/bcf/family_assistance/medicaid.asp
Medicare: The federal program may pay if certain guidelines are met, including for skilled nursing services. Those may be for short- or long-term treatment of up to 100 days, including monitoring for certain conditions. ERCC works with Medicare's HMO and PPO programs as well. For more information and eligibility information visit www.medicare.gov
Private Insurance: Benefits depend on the individual policy, but our friendly staff stays up-to-date on the latest programs and can help work with you, your family and your provider to maximize benefits.
Dining
ERCC is all about providing choices. Members of the friendly and helpful dietary staff understand that not everyone likes the same food, or wants to eat at exactly the same time.
Restaurant-style menu choices have proved exceptionally popular with residents, who may choose from several entrees and sides at each meal.
In addition, dining "windows" allow people to eat a meal anytime during a two-hour period. Snacks are provided three times a day, either in activity areas or in individual rooms.
Of course, certain medical conditions may require special monitoring, so dietary requirements are written on cards and staff monitor for low-sodium, low-fat or other special needs.
A consulting dietician works with the dietary staff to monitor calorie intake and weight, ensuring people remain healthy and properly nourished during their time at ERCC.
Group Activities
Arts and crafts, exercise routines, bingo, video games and exciting outings are just a few of the ways ERCC keeps life exciting for short- and long-term guests.
ERCC hosts church services from a variety of local clergy, and students from the Elkins Mountain School come by regularly to play board games and visit with residents. Every other week ERCC hosts "dinner and a movie" with residents selecting special food and films to experience together.
Not all of the activities happen inside the state-of-the-art facility, however. Trips to local retail stores and restaurants occur frequently, and residents are regulars at the Randolph Community Arts Center brown bag luncheons and concerts. Each Saturday includes "primp time" for doing nails and hair.
Depending on the season, the ERCC van might take a trip out to see Christmas lights, run residents out to sit by a peaceful lake or cruise through the mountains to see the fall colors.
Social Services
Short- or long-term admission to ERCC often entails a myriad of paperwork and other situations that might initially seem overwhelming. That's where our talented social workers come in. They've been through all of this before, and they're happy to answer questions and help you with any need that may arise.
Gift Shop
Our volunteer-run gift shop includes incidental items for residents as well as handcrafted items appropriate for special occasions. In fact, some people stop by just to take advantage of our attractive selection. Our gift shop is open to the public during visiting hours.
