Frequently Asked Questions

Stella Maris provides a full range of services including short-term rehabilitation care, long-term care, home health services, and hospice care. We also provide outpatient therapy, personal care assistance, counseling services, pastoral care, respite care and senior housing.

Stella Maris accepts many forms of payment, including managed care plans, commercial policies, Medicare, Medicaid and private funds. Please contact us for more information.

When it comes to long-term health care, many Americans assume that Medicare, supplemental policies or standard health insurance policies will cover all of the expenses. Unfortunately, this is not the case.

Medicare is a federal program that provides health coverage if you are 65 years of age or older, or under 65 and have a disability, no matter your income. Medicaid is a state and federal program that provides health coverage if you meet the state’s income level guidelines.

Stella Maris is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Pets are very therapeutic to patients. If you plan on visiting with a pet, please stop by the front desk to obtain a pet visitor packet for completion.

Amenities in our skilled nursing neighborhoods include:

• On-site medical service clinics
• Therapeutic and engaging daily activities including art, music and pet therapy
• Homelike private and semiprivate rooms – we encourage residents to bring in personal belongings
• Spiritual support services including daily mass in our beautiful on-site church
• Barber and beauty salon services
• Cable TV service
• Personal telephone line for each patient

We are open for visitors 24 hours a day/seven days a week. Many of our residents have personal telephone lines. You may call our main line of 410-252-4500 and ask to be connected with the resident.

When a person is admitted to the hospital for an acute illness, surgery, or an injury, the next step in care may be short-term rehabilitation services. The goal of this care is to transition the patient from an acute care setting to the home setting.

Medicare covers 20 days at 100 percent and from days 21 to 100, there will be a copay. Please refer to your benefit plan for all other insurances and speak to our admissions staff.

Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurance plans cover rehab when ordered by a doctor, but please refer to your benefit plan.

There will most likely be extra costs for:

• Barber and beauty salon services
• Transportation

Depending upon the therapy needs of the patient, on average a stay may last two to three weeks. The patient will interact regularly with physical, occupational, and speech therapists as well as nurses, nurse practitioners and social workers during the recovery.

A patient’s medical evaluation will heavily influence their discharge plan. The medical team includes physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, therapists, social workers, nutritionists, and other specialists in recovery.

Our highly skilled and experienced therapists utilize a variety of techniques and equipment to reach individualized goals. For progressive therapy, our rehabilitation staff recommends bringing the following items when admitted to the facility:

• Comfortable, loose-fitting clothing
• Tennis shoes or sneakers with socks
• Assistive devices as applicable
• Toiletries

The frequency of therapy will depend upon your doctor’s orders and the diagnosis. Our new rehabilitation center will feature the Vector Gait and Safety System by Bioness. This is an innovative rehabilitation system designed to promote faster recovery and improve mobility and balance while minimizing risk to both patients and clinicians.

Choosing a long-term care facility is a big decision. The best way to choose a facility is to experience it yourself, schedule a tour and ask questions during the visit.

Stella Maris accepts many forms of payment including managed care plans, supplemental policies, Medicare, Medicaid and private funds. The cost of long-term care will vary depending upon your loved one’s needs.

The Stella Maris dedicated team for programs and activities practice the person-centered care model, one that incorporates each resident’s personal preferences and values. Your loved one will be encouraged to participate in therapeutic and engaging activities including:

• Daily cognitive and sensory activities
• Art, music, garden and pet therapy
• Monthly musical entertainment
• Special themed events
• Holiday events
• Spiritual activities, including daily mass in our beautiful on-site church

Yes, Stella Maris accepts Alzheimer’s and dementia residents. Our staff members are trained in memory-related care.

Respite care for seniors is a short-term stay in our long-term care or nursing home facility. Respite care is available when a caregiver takes an extended vacation or needs a break. This can provide needed rest and recovery for family members and caregivers.

Yes, once a physician has ordered home health services, you may request Stella Maris as your provider.

We offer clinical nursing care, therapy, social work, personal care and home visits by nurses, aides, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists and social workers as ordered by a physician.

Stella Maris accepts many forms of payment including managed care plans, supplemental policies, Medicare, Medicaid and private funds. Please contact us for more information.

Service will begin within 48 hours and as often as the physician orders.

Hospice is a specialized program for terminally ill persons and their families. Rather than focusing on curative measures, the goal of hospice is directed toward palliative care for the patient’s comfort, pain alleviation, symptom management and support for the family.

Stella Maris accepts many forms of payment for hospice, including managed care plans, commercial policies, Medicare, Medicaid and private funds. Please contact us for more information.

Medicare defines hospice as a service for someone with a life expectancy of six months or less.

Yes, hospice may be provided in the patient’s home or a loved one’s home through our home hospice program.

Respite care for hospice patients is a short-term stay at our inpatient hospice facility. This can provide needed rest and recovery for family members and caregivers of a home hospice patient. Hospice respite care is also appropriate when a loved one’s symptoms or pain needs to be managed.

Counseling services are available free of charge for one year for hospice and home hospice family members through our counseling center. Counseling services are also available to the public for a nominal fee. Please contact our counseling center.