Resident rooms are cheerful and semi-private with a hospital type bed, privacy curtain, private sink and counter space, 3-drawer dresser, and a wardrobe. Each bed is located near a window, and our bedrooms are located away from the community and office areas of the home.

Residents are encouraged to bring personal items such as pictures (no glass), plants (no glass vases), TV (Maximum size, 19” tabletop), lamp, favorite chair, afghan, etc… to be used as space permits.

The maintenance department prior to use must inspect all electrical items.

Due to space limitations and safety concerns, residents are limited to one major piece of personal furniture, such as a chair measuring 32 inches square or less.

Each resident is provided with:

• Comfortable electric multi-positioning bed, bed linens, blanket and pillow
• Cabinet for storage of personal items
• Over bed table
• Chair
• Closet

Your bedside cabinet is used to store personal hygiene items and supplies needed for your care. The top drawer is for your personal use.

Any food in your room must be stored in a sealed container – either a tin or plastic container would be appropriate. No food should be stored in boxes or bags. You are asked to be careful about crumbs as they provide an invitation to insects.

B) Roommates

Part of your adjustment will involve sharing a room. This can sometimes be difficult, however we work very hard in finding roommates that are compatible.

Residents are expected to cooperate with one another and staff to ensure a harmonious, pleasant atmosphere. For example, after 10pm, the volume of all TV’s will be lowered to a level where they cannot be heard in the next bed. We suggest the use of earphones after this hour as a satisfactory alternative.

C) Clothing And Valuables

You are encouraged to have at least a 7 day supply of clothing. Our laundry department will label the inside of your clothing to help ensure that it is returned to you after laundering. Fabrics must be machine washable and dryable. Any fabrics that require special attention or dry cleaning will be your responsibility.

It is strongly recommended that your money be kept in the Residents Fund Account. Jewelry and other valuables should be given to your family for safekeeping. The home cannot accept responsibility for items lost, stolen or broken.

D) Personal Care Supplies

You will be provided with personal hygiene supplies. These supplies include shampoo, soap, deodorant, dental care items and lotion. The items supplied are part of our house stock supplies. Should you prefer not to use these items, you are free to purchase a product that you are more comfortable with. The cost of purchasing theses items will be your responsibility.

E) Appliances

All electrical equipment brought into your room must be checked by the maintenance staff before it is put into use so that we can ensure that it meets safety codes. No extension cords are permitted in the facility. Please remember to label all personal equipment.

F) Mail

Residents may send and receive letters Monday through Saturday.

Mail will be delivered to your room. You may have your mail opened and read to you should you require this service.

Outgoing mail may be deposited at the Main Office with the receptionist where it is picked up by the postal service at 11:00 am, Monday through Saturday.

Greeting cards are available at no charge through the Activities Department.

Stamps can be purchased in the Business Office. Our mailing address is: Belknap County Nursing Home
30 County Drive
Laconia, NH 03246

G) Telephones

Public pay phones are available on each unit for resident use.

• WEST WING PAY PHONE NUMBER 524-9771
• EAST WING PAY PHONE NUMBER 524-9822

Telephone jacks are already installed in every resident room. If you would like to have a phone in your room the procedure is as follows:

• Purchase of the telephone is your responsibility. We do not supply telephones.
• The initial installation is your responsibility. When you call the phone company, they will ask:
  Your name and address
  If there has ever been a phone in your room
  Nearest resident phone, room number and phone number.
  (If it is easier for you, you can have the phone company call us for this information. However, the initial call must come from you.)

When a resident is moved from one room to another there will be no charge if it is at the facility’s request.
If a resident and/or family member request a move than there will be an extra charge by the telephone company. It will show up on the residents phone bill.
The telephone bill is your responsibility and at your request can be paid from your personal account at the nursing home.
Upon discharge, it is your or your family members responsibility to call the phone company and have the phone disconnected.

H) Newspaper

Newspapers can be delivered to the facility for you.

Ex: Union Leader, Laconia Citizen, Concord Monitor

For you to receive a newspaper(s) at the facility, you must call the newspaper office of choice and subscribe. You need to notify the office at the nursing home with the start date so we are aware of a new subscription. Name tags will be made by office personnel, attached to newspaper and delivered to you.

Payment of the newspaper is your responsibility. At your request, payment can be credited from your personal needs account.

Upon discharge, it is your or your family members responsible for calling the newspaper office to cancel the subscription.

I) Canteen

Candy, stamps, and tobacco products may be purchased at the business office between the hours of 9:00 am and 5:00 pm.

We are not permitted to sell you items that are against you Doctors advice.

The Activities Department Staff is available for residents personal shopping on a monthly basis.

J) Alcohol

Should you wish an alcoholic beverage a doctor’s order is required. Alcohol may not be stored in your room, it can be stored by the home. The alcoholic beverage will be labeled with your name and will be served to you at your request or as ordered by the physician.

K) Smoking

This home is smoke free. Smoking is not permitted in the home. Areas are provided out of doors.

L) Visitors

Visiting hours are not limited by the nursing home but it is expected that discretion will be used by visitors and/or the resident receiving visitors as to the hours and the number of visitors.

We encourage visits by family, friends, children of all ages (supervised) and the family pet, if well trained.

Overnight accommodations are available for family and friends if you are acutely or terminally ill. Arrangements for overnight stay can be made by contacting the Social Services Office or the Unit Coordinator.

You are welcome to go out for rides, meals, or home visits with family/friends as long as doing so is not medically contradicted. We request that you inform the Unit Coordinator (RN) of your plans as soon as you make them in order that proper arrangements for meals and medications can be made. Advanced notification of 2 days must be given to the Home if you are going to be out overnight, as your medications that must accompany you must be ordered from the pharmacy.

M) Television

Cable hook-ups are provided in each resident room. If you would like cable the procedure is as follows:

• You are responsible for supplying your television. The nursing home does not provide TV’s. The use of earphones after 10pm is strongly encouraged.
• Upon admission you will be asked if you would like cable TV. If yes, the monthly cost of the cable will be charged to your personal account . Upon your discharge, cable is automatically disconnected.

Please Note: Belknap County Nursing Home is charged a set monthly rate for cable which is divided evenly amongst the residents who have cable. The monthly charge varies due to the number of residents on cable at any given month.