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Intermediate care facilities for people with mental retardation (ICF/MR) are certified Medicare/Medicaid facilities that provide treatment to persons with mental retardation or other related conditions. Many of the people who are served by this program are also non-ambulatory, have seizure disorders, behavior problems, mental illness, are visually-impaired or hearing-impaired, or have a combination of these conditions. |
These facilities provide their patients with a protected residential setting, ongoing evaluation, planning, 24-hour supervision, coordination, and integration for health or rehabilitative services to help individuals function at their greatest ability.
All individuals receiving ICF/MR services must financially qualify for Medicaid assistance.
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The Basic Principles of ICF/MR Facilities |
According to Pennsylvania’s Department of Public Welfare the basic principles of ICF/MR facilities are:
- Each individual has capacity for growth and development
- Each individual should have access to services that enhance his/her development, well-being and quality of life
- Each individual should have access to the most normal and least restrictive social and physical environments consistent with his/her needs
- Each individual’s services should be delivered in accordance with a single, comprehensive individual rehabilitation plan that is developed, monitored, coordinated, and revised by members of a duly constituted interdisciplinary team
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With over 6,500 intermediate care facilities for the mentally retarded nationwide, choosing the right one can be overwhelming. Here are some tips:
- Location: Patients often do better when they can be supported by family and friends. Make sure the facility is within a comfortable travel distance.
- Availability
- Services provided
- If possible, tour the facility. Verify the facility is clean, staff are professional, and the center can accomodate the patient's needs.
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Additional Characteristics You Should Consider
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1. Quality –Quality is very important factor to consider when selecting a new healthcare provider. WhereToFindCare.com can help you locate a quality intermediate care facility
for the mentally retarded
by providing you with the WTFC Quality Score.
WhereToFindCare.com asks users to rate their healthcare experience at intermediate
care facilities for the mentally retarded nationwide. The WTFC Quality Score is the percentage of people who rated the ICF/MR on WhereToFindCare.com and said they received quality care. This experience-based satisfaction score cannot be found elsewhere today except by word of mouth.
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2. Recommendations- Word of mouth recommendations are very important. They can tell us if
a center is caring and professional, whether we will get along with them on a personal level, and provide us with the service we need. |
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You can read other people’s experience by going to the ICF/MR's
page on WhereToFindCare.com and clicking on the Survey Results tab.
There you see how others rated their experience at the ICF/MR, and any comments made about the provider. Also look for CareStars™. User-nominated CareStars are exceptional caregivers at healthcare centers. CareStars™ comments can give you a sense that the ICF/MR employs caring individuals that will provide the service you need.
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