Frequently Asked Questions

Visiting hours

We are always open for your visits. Our goal is to make you feel at home with your loved one.  Coffee, juice, and snacks are available in the kitchen for you to enjoy.  Just ask our kitchen staff and they will assist you.

Personal Effects

We provide a very safe environment for our residents; nevertheless, we also have many visitors and vendors who enter our building each day. If you do need to bring in items of worth, a safe is available at the Administration Office for valuables and cash.

Beauty Shop Details

We have beautician and barber services available once a week and by appointment. Please contact the front office for details.

Beauty Shop/Barber Shop Charges

• Male Resident Haircut – $7
• Female Resident Haircut – $10
• Shampoo/Set – $10
• Permanent – $35 (includes Shampoo/Set)
• Tints – $25 (includes Shampoo/Set)

How do I find out about the activities provided for the resident?

We strive to create social programs and individualized activities to match the capabilities and needs of each patient. This also has a powerful impact on the healing process of those patients involved in some type of rehabilitation. Specific activities include active resident councils, musical performances, current events update- reading the newspaper, singing exercises, fitness activities, stretching exercises, religious meetings, outside entertainment, games, trivia, history, and volunteer involvement. We also strongly encourage families to participate with the residents in various activities.

A monthly calendar is posted to keep residents informed of upcoming events such as birthday parties, movies, musical programs, outings, candlelight dinners, ice cream socials, and other special events. We also send out a monthly newsletter to families notifying them of current, as well as, upcoming events. We always welcome friends and families to visit and attend special events.

What role does Social Services play at Argentine Care Center?

Our Social Service team assists both patients and their families during transitional periods. They also provide essential information, manage requests and concerns, help in the care and discharge planning for each patient. They can arrange professional services for Dental, Vision, Podiatry, Audiology, Power of Attorney, Dementia Assessment, Psychosocial and Psychiatric Evaluation, and Individual therapy.

How do I get my laundry done? Can my family members take my laundry home to do?

All personal clothing is washed in an industrial washing machine at a temperature of 180-degrees. Make sure your loved one’s clothing is appropriate for washing and drying in these hot temperatures. Avoid bringing clothing that requires cold or warm water, special care, or is subject to damage and fading. All clothing must be labeled. Please label the clothing with the resident’s name, NOT the room number or initials. Mark clearly and in large letters on the inside neckline or waistband. All items must be marked including socks, shoes, and other personal items.

Subsequently, if your family/caregiver is going to take care of your laundry at home, please let the nursing station closest to you know your plans. This way, the staff can place a sign on your closet door notifying our housekeeping staff to leave your clothing for family pick up. We request that your family provide a hamper for your clothes and pick them up twice a week.

What articles of clothing should I bring?

We recommend approximately five changes of clothing and a pair of comfortable rubber-soled shoes. All articles should be washed, clearly labeled with the resident’s name in permanent ink and entered into the patients’ personal inventory log in the medical chart. Other personal items should be marked or engraved for identification. We advise that patients do not keep valuable jewelry or large amounts of cash in the facility.

Is there a limit to the number of people who can visit at one time?

There is no limit to the number of people who visit at one time.  If more than three, we would suggest using the common areas of the facility to ensure a more enjoyable visit.

Is there any private space available to use?

You may reserve an area in the facility for any special events (birthday, holidays, meals) with a few days of advanced notice.

Can I bring my children to visit?

Yes! We encourage children to visit!

Can I bring a family pet to the facility?

We would love for your family pet to come to visit. Please remember to clean up after them and take the proper safety measures at all times. All pets are to be kept on a leash and should have all current vaccinations.

How often will a physician or health professional visit?

Physicians generally see patients upon admission and once every 30 days thereafter. However, our nursing professionals are in constant contact with all of the physicians that visit the facility. Some insurance companies require that physicians visit more often. Check with our nursing staff for further information.

Can I take my loved one home for a visit?

Patients may have an overnight leave of absence only with a physician’s authorization, which can be arranged through the nursing staff. Upon arrival and departure, the resident or responsible party must sign the LOA (leave of absence) book, located at the nursing station.  Physician’s authorizations are not required for a “day” visit out of the facility.  However, if you’re not the legal representative/responsible party, prior approval from them will have to be confirmed with the nursing department prior to departure.

Can my loved one receive mail?

Definitely. Mail is delivered to patients personally on a daily basis.  Our Activities Staff will help your loved one open and assist with reading if necessary. Please reference below:

Argentine Care Center
Attn: ________________
9051 Silver Lake Road
Linden, MI 48451

Or consider using our Send a Greeting feature on the website. Just type the recipient’s name and type your message. When it arrives in our email box we will print it and hand deliver it to your loved one.

Is smoking permitted in the facility?

For the safety and welfare of all patients and staff, the Argentine Care Center is a non-smoking facility.

Where should I park, when I come to visit?

Plenty of parking is available. Please observe all posted city parking signs. Avoid parking in spaces specifically reserved for the handicapped, employees and physicians.

Can I bring in my loved one’s favorite food?

Consistent with the provision of special diets, always consult with the nursing staff before bringing food to patients. Any food kept in the resident room must be in properly sealed containers.

Will my loved one’s room have a television?

Please plan to bring your own TV. Cable TV is available for $23.18/month plus installation charge.

Will my loved one have telephone and Internet access?

The residents are welcome to send and receive phone calls from a facility phone. Residents may want to bring a cell phone. At your request, we can also help coordinate a landline with the phone company. We do not provide Internet access to the facility, however, we can help coordinate arrangements with our internet service provider

What kinds of activities are planned for the patients?

Argentine Care Center has a vibrant atmosphere with dynamic, individualized activities that match the capabilities and needs of patients and their guests. We also have an active Resident  Council and volunteer programs. Scheduled activities include music, fitness activities, religious meetings, outside entertainment, games, Wii games, crafts, gardening, field trips/outings and volunteer involvement. If you would like to arrange something special or have suggestions and ideas for individual or group activities, please inform our activities director. We welcome and encourage involvement from family and friends.

How often will the Rehabilitation staff work with my loved one?

Your rehab director can inform you of the rehabilitation program designed for your loved one.

Will Medicare Part A cover my stay in the facility?

Patients must have a Medicare card that reads “Hospital Insurance”. They must also be admitted to the facility with a physician order within 30 days of a three consecutive night hospital stay. Generally, during the first 20 days of care, Medicare will pay 100%. For days 21-100, a daily co-insurance co-pay is required. Medicare does not cover skilled nursing fees over 100 days, or if your care is not considered skilled nursing care.

Who do I talk to about my food preferences? Can I get alternate options for each day’s menu?

Upon admission, our Registered Dietitian and/or Dietary Manager will interview you regarding your special needs with regards to food preferences. Our own food service personnel prepare all the meals. Special care is taken to serve flavorful and appetizing foods. All menus are developed according to prescribed medical diets ordered by the physicians.

Should you wish for another food item on a particular day’s menu, please make your CNA aware of your request. This information will be passed on to the dietary staff and they will try their best to accommodate your needs.

Our Dietitian and Dietary Manager also monitor your nutritional status using monthly weights, daily intake records, and relevant lab data. The results of these assessments are discussed at your care conferences.

What do I do if I have concerns?

Our primary concern is that you feel comfortable here at Argentine Care Center and that your needs are being met. You should feel secure and at ease with our staff, particularly those providing your direct care. If you have any concerns or praise for our staff, please feel free to contact our social services department. They will be able to address any apprehensions you may have regarding any particular staff members.

What is an Ombudsman?

An Ombudsman is an advocate for residents. They are a third party person NOT employed by the facility who comes by the facility periodically to monitor the activities of the facility. They are not able to tell the facility what to do but are able to be a voice for a resident with a concern.

Ombudsman Contact:  Laurie Ehrhardt   (810) 234-8840 or 1-(866)-485-9393

Who do I talk to about questions in regard to financials, billing, and/or admission paperwork?

Argentine Care Center employs a full-time Business Office Manager and Social Service Staff for all financial and billing concerns. Should you have any questions regarding these matters please make an appointment to see our Business Office Manager/Social Services Director by contacting the front desk/receptionist.

The Admissions Coordinator will guide you through the necessary forms required for admission and review the rules and regulations regarding Medicare, Medicaid, and various insurances.

What is the difference between a CNA, LPN, and RN?

A Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) is a health professional who works under the supervision of Registered Nurses (RN’s) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN’s) to provide a wide variety of basic hands-on patient care. CNAs perform basic nursing functions such as personal care, taking vital signs, positioning patients, and ambulation.

An LPN provides basic bedside nursing care to patients under the direction of a physician or registered nurse. Duties within the scope of practice for an LPN typically include but are not limited to, provision of basic hygienic and nursing care; measurement of vital signs; basic client assessment; documentation; performance of prescribed medical treatments; administration of prescribed medications; and, the performance of non-medicated intravenous therapy and blood withdrawal.

An RN’s duties may include everything a CNA and LPN carries out, in addition to administering an IV, assessment of patients, skincare, and process doctors’ orders. Furthermore, RN’s typically take on management positions such as the Director of Nursing, who is responsible for all nursing duties in the building.