Visiting Hours and Outings

Visiting hours at Story County Medical Center Long Term Care unit are not set. Guests are allowed at any time as long as the resident is available, however, we ask that visitors leave around 8:00pm in order for our residents to obtain adequate rest.

Outings are allowed at any time. All residents must be signed out and in for each outing so the staff is aware of his/her absence. Sign out sheets can be found at the nurses’ station on each floor.

Advance notice is required for extended leaves to provide the pharmacy adequate time to package medications. Medicaid (Title XIX) residents may be gone from the facility no more than eighteen nights per year.

Bringing a Resident Gifts

Visitors are encouraged to bring cards, balloons, gifts or flowers to residents, however, please note that any Latex balloon or other gift will not be allowed into the hospital due to latex allergies.

Visitors are welcome to bring in food and snacks for the resident they are visiting. Refrigerators are available at the nursing stations for perishables. All food must be labeled with the resident's name and the date. In accordance with State requirements, food will be kept for three days and, if it is not consumed, will be disposed of. Small quantities of nonperishable food may be kept in the resident's room. Please use airtight containers.

Parking

Parking is free to all patients and visitors. There is a circle drive on the south side of SCMC available for drop off/pick up of any patient or visitor who needs easy access to the main entrance of the hospital.

Meals and Snacks While Visiting a Resident

Family members and guests are welcome to eat with their residents in the LTC dining areas. Guest meals may be purchased from the Business Office prior to the mealtime. Meals must be ordered and purchased through the Business Office staff a minimum of 1.5 hours before the meal is due to be served. Weekend guest meals must be ordered and purchased by Friday at 12:00pm.

Families may join their loved ones for the special holiday meals of Thanksgiving and Christmas on the Long Term Care unit. Meals should be ordered and purchased several days before the holiday through the Business Office; sign up sheets and information are posted in advance. The holiday guest meals may be delivered to the LTC dining rooms or guests may choose to eat in the cafeteria with their resident.

Potluck and family gatherings may be arranged by contacting the Activity Director (382-2111 x 2264) or LTC Director (382-7004) in advance of the event.

Family members and guests may also want to visit SCMC’s Chatterbox Café with the LTC Resident they are visiting. If this is the case, please feel free to arrange the "luncheon" with one of the nurses on the resident's floor.

The Cafe is SCMC's cafeteria located in the lower level of the hospital. The Chatterbox Café is open Monday through Friday from 11:00am to 1:00pm. Usually there is a selection of two hot entrees, starch, soup of the day, vegetables, fruits, small salads, desserts, a variety of milks, including chocolate, and a salad bar. The menu items are individually priced for guests. Residents are allowed to eat free of charge.

There are soda machines located in the cafeteria containing bottled water and juice, along with Pepsi and Coca Cola products. These items cost one dollar and the machines will take change or single dollar bills. There is also a snack vending machine stocked with a variety of items. The snack machine takes single dollar bills and change.