Frequently Asked Questions
Admissions
How long is the waiting list?
Holy Angels keeps applications for a minimum of five years. Each applicant’s wait time will depend on their needs and room availability. Applicants are matched to each residence according to their needs, personality, independence, and medical requirements.
How much will it cost?
Holy Angels accepts private pay as well as Medicaid. Upon admittance, an application for Medicaid Long term care is completed and submitted to the Louisiana Medicaid office. Once approved, Medicaid will pay for room and board. This includes basics such as clothing, toiletries, etc. The family will be responsible for specialty items and spending money. There are also several amenities offered to residents that require individual payment, such as aquatic mobility, horseback riding, sensory room, and summer swim, among other options.
What do residents do at Holy Angels?
Each person receives basic training in self-care, social skills, and vocational skills through training programs provided in the residence and in the training programs. Training programs occur each weekday from 9:15 am to 3:00 pm. Special programs such as banquets, dances, plays, and much more are also provided. Residents are also provided opportunities to go into the community for outings.
May a resident bring a phone, TV, or other such items?
Electronics are allowed. Phones and iPads are turned in to staff at bedtime for recharging. Phones are not allowed during class times, chore times, or during resident meetings.
Do residents provide their own furniture and room items?
Residents provide their own furniture and bedding tailored to their individual tastes. The Qualified Intellectual Disabilities Professional (case manager) for that area will assist the family with additional furniture based on space and individual needs.
How much visitation is allowed?
The first 30 days after admission, the resident will not have contact with family or friends; however, the family may contact their loved one’s Case Manager. After that period, residents are able to go off campus for visits and overnights with family. The number of days is limited to 45 days each fiscal year. This is the period of time that Medicaid allows for residents to be off campus, and their room and board continue to be paid. Each 24-hour period off campus is considered a leave day. State holidays do not count as a leave day.
How much visitation is allowed?
The first 30 days after being admitted, the resident will not have contact with family or friends; however, family may contact their loved one’s Case Manager. After that period, residents are able to go off campus for visits and overnights with family. The number of days is limited to 45 days each fiscal year. This is the period of time that Medicaid allows for residents to be off campus, and their room and board continue to be paid. Each 24-hour period off campus is considered a leave day. State holidays do not count as a leave day.
Habiliatation
What does QIDP mean? Or what’s a Q?
Qualified Intellectual Disabilities Professional.
What does a QIDP do?
QIDP is a staff who is responsible for integrating, coordinating, and monitoring each consumer’s active treatment program [e.g., preparing ISPs (Individual Support Plan), maintaining a system for collecting and recording consumer data information for monthly reviews, writing goals/objectives, conducting meetings, assessing consumer progress, completing paperwork, and signing documents that require QIDP approval].
Why do I need to call my consumer’s QIDP direct phone line or email them?
The families need to call their assigned QIDP’s direct phone line to ensure they can promptly assist with the families’ needs. This will also allow the families time to talk to their consumer’s QIDP without interruptions due to the dorm phone needing to be utilized by staff or another family member calling to speak to their loved one as well.
Emailing your consumer’s QIDP will be the most efficient way to contact your QIDP, and it will also be a means for the QIDP to address your questions/issues more thoroughly. It can also serve as a visual reference for both the family members and the QIDP.
How do I receive reimbursement for items I have purchased for my family member?
Send your receipt to the Accounting Department in care of Kay Archer. You can send it via e-mail or scan it to karcher@laholyangels.org. Kay will contact the Q at that point.
Health & Wellness
How can my resident get more involved in extra activities?
All activities on campus are available to any resident. Have your resident tell their Q they are interested in participating in the activity. The Q will get with our wellness team about having your resident join that activity.
What activities can my resident do at HARF?
HARF is home to so many new activities and teams. Teams at Holy Angels include powerlifting, cheerleading, swim team, basketball team, and bike club. We also have walking groups, playground activity time, horseback riding (off campus), summer swim, meditation, Aquatic Mobility, and group home fitness time.
What is summer swim? How much does it cost?
Summer swim is our summer activity. It is held in our outdoor pool, and the residents attend their designated swim time with their group home. Each home/dorm is allotted one hour of swim time two days a week. Summer swim starts at the beginning of June and runs until mid-August. It is $5 a session to swim.
What is Aquatic Mobility? How much does it cost?
Aquatic Mobility uses our heated indoor pool to assist in restoring a person’s strength and movement through the use of buoyancy and resistance. It improves flexibility, gait, coordination, and overall aerobic capacity. They are one-on-one sessions with our trained Exercise Physiologists. The cost is $25 a session for our residents.
What if I think my resident needs to lose weight or work out more often? Who do I contact, and what are our options?
A healthy lifestyle is our number one concern at Holy Angels. If you are interested in your resident being more involved in activities on or off campus, please contact your Q first. The Q, wellness team, and dietitian will then meet to address any concerns the family may have about their resident and develop a plan for that resident.
What healthy snacks can I send for my resident?
- Hummus and carrot sticks, cucumber slices, and raw broccoli
- Apple slices and almond butter
- Greek yogurt with fresh blueberries and strawberries
- Sliced bananas with peanut butter and a few chocolate chips sprinkled on top
- Plantain chips and guacamole
- Fresh fruit
- Snack kabobs made with cantaloupe, fresh mozzarella, and prosciutto or ham
- Kale chips
- Pear slices with one ounce of cheddar cheese or parmesan cheese
- Fresh raw vegetables (cherry tomatoes, sugar snap peas, carrot sticks, broccoli, cucumber slices, olives) and one ounce of your favorite salad dressing