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Q: When and where are meals served?
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A: Meals are served restaurant-style in our dining room* and we encourage all residents to attend and socialize. A designated area is provided if assistance with eating is required. Residents may choose to eat in their room. The nurse should be provided with sufficient notice prior to the meal so the kitchen may be alerted to the resident’s wishes. A hot meal alternative is usually available in addition to the daily menu. Meal times are as follows:
Breakfast 7:30 am
Lunch 11:30 am
Dinner 4:30 pm
* Guest meals may be purchased for $2. Please allow the dietary staff sufficient notice for guests dining in our facility.
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Q: What types of clothing items should residents keep in the room?
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A: Clothing should be suited to the season and personal wishes of the resident. Since individual storage space is limited, family members should retain any out-of-season garments not frequently worn.
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Q: Should residents bring a wheelchair or walker?
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A: If there is a clinical need for durable medical equipment and one is available, you can bring it. All personal equipment should be labeled clearly. Electric wheelchairs and scooters are allowed following evaluation by the therapy department and approval from the administrator based on the resident’s safety.
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Q: How do residents get mail?
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A: Mail will be delivered to the facility and distributed Monday through Friday. All mail should be addressed as follows:
Resident’s Name
c/o Jo Ellen Smith Living Center
4502 General Meyer Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70131
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Q: Is there a beautician or barber available?
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A: Our staff will help perform normal grooming such as fingernail and toenail clipping, shaving and hair brushing/combing. A licensed beautician is available each week for haircuts and styling.
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Q: Are laundry services provided?
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A: The facility provides all bed linens and towels and is responsible for laundering them. This service is also provided for personal clothing, as long as it is adequately labeled. If family members choose to wash clothing, we ask that dirty clothing be picked up daily.
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Q: Can family members volunteer?
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A: Our activities director operates a volunteer program made up of members of the local community who choose to assist in hosting events, providing entertainment and interacting with our residents. Anyone with special skills, talents or extra time to share is encouraged to become a volunteer.
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Q: Do residents have a say in how the nursing home operates?
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A: Our staff is expected to be flexible and honor all reasonable requests made, as long as it does not endanger the residents.
Participation in the resident council is encouraged. The council meets each month with our activities director to represent all of our residents’ concerns and make suggestions to the facility staff.
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Q: Is there a doctor on call?
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A: Dr. Pramela Ganji of New Orleans is the medical director of our facility and is ultimately responsible for the care of all the residents at Jo Ellen Smith Living Center. She makes rounds in the Facility to see her patients and is conferred with periodically concerning the health care we provide. You are free to choose an attending physician other than the Medical Director, but they are required to see you at least once every 30 days for the first 90 days after admission and at least once every 60 days thereafter.
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Q: Are residents allowed to leave the facility?
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A: There are certain restrictions Medicare and Medicaid place on nursing home residents. These are described in our bed hold policy. Aside from these limitations, residents may leave as often as they like to spend time with family and friends, attend special events or just take a drive one afternoon. Residents must, however, sign out with their nurse and check to see if any medication or special attention is required while they are away.
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Q: How are doctors' appointments scheduled?
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A: Coordination of doctors’ appointments should be made through our Transportation Director. If our staff feels that a visit is warranted, we will make the necessary arrangements and notify your family. A-Med usually provides transportation. Private pay residents are responsible for payment of transportation services arranged by the Facility. Family members are welcome to provide transportation and are encouraged to attend doctor appointments.
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