Frequently Asked Questions
Below you’ll find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions at FRHS. We are regularly adding question to this page so if you have a question and don’t see your answer, don’t hesitate to email tabitha.schoenwald@freemanregional.com
Neither the hospital or nursing home have specific visiting hours – families and friends may visit a patient or resident any time; however, there may, from time to time, be visiting restrictions in place for a variety of reasons – if uncertain, please check at the nurse’s station. We ask that visitors be sensitive to the patient or resident’s rest periods.
Yes. There are telephones located in two areas: One is on the left wall inside the main entrance to the hospital. The other is located in the ER entrance on the left wall. No dialing is necessary; just lift up the receiver and it will automatically ring to the nurse’s station.
All of our providers and visiting specialists, who make regular monthly visits to either the hospital or clinic, can be seen by clicking here. Appointments can be made through your primary care physician.
Select surgeries are performed at Freeman Regional. See the calendar under ‘Campus News’ for General Surgery / Endoscopy dates.
There are 200+ employees.
Yes. FRHS provides interpreter services free of charge through either locally available interpreters, Language Line services, or through Avera E-Emergency Services.
Freeman Regional Nursing Home is a Medicare Skilled Facility. In order to be covered by Medicare, a resident must have had a 3-day acute care stay at the hospital, and must be admitted with orders to receive physical therapy, occupational therapy or speech therapy. There are other qualifiers as well, such as acute nursing care.
Medicaid is a state payment source for those residents who have depleted their resources. For more information about Medicare and Medicaid and its application to hospital, nursing home or swing bed patients, contact Social Worker Lindsey Unruh at (605) 925-4000.
Yes, you may eat meals with your loved ones; 24-hour notice is preferred, if possible. Please notify the nurse’s stations at Freeman Regional Nursing Home or Freeman Medical Center of your plans. Call (605) 925-4000. Payment is to be made to the FRHS business office.
Freeman Medical Center is an independent, acute care critical access 25 bed hospital offering a wide range outpatient and inpatient services, a fully staffed, 3-bay emergency room open 24/7, and a visiting specialists program. Freeman Regional Nursing Home is a 56-bed Medicare Skilled Nursing Home with round the clock nursing care. For more information click on services.
Beautician services are available at Freeman Regional Nursing Home by contacting the nurses station. Families themselves may use the beauty room to fix their loved one’s hair, by making an advanced appointment to insure that the room and equipment are available. There is a sign up calendar in the hair care room. In the instance of a special event and a beautician is unable to meet the needs of the resident, family may request that staff wash and set hair. At least a week’s notice will be required and this service will be provided, depending on staff availability.
Yes. Chaplain Betty Janke offers non-denominational spiritual guidance to residents and patients. She is on call 24/7.
Freeman Regional Health Services and all of its programs and activities are accessible to and useable by disabled persons, including persons who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, or who have other sensory impairments. Access features include:
- Convenient off-street parking designated specifically for disabled persons.
- Curb cuts and ramps between parking areas and buildings.
- Level access into first floor level.
- Fully accessible offices, meeting rooms, bathrooms, public waiting areas, patient treatment areas, including examining rooms and patient rooms.
- A full range of assistive and communication aids provided to persons who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, or with other sensory impairments. There is no additional charge for such aids. Some of these aids include:
– Qualified video sign language interpreters for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing.
– Access to the Relay South Dakota system.
– Reading material for the blind and large print documents for the visually
impaired.
– Flash cards and other communication boards.
– Assistive devices for person with impaired manual skills.
There are specific criteria developed by the Director of Nursing and the Medical Director of the Nursing Home. If you have questions about your loved one needing this service, please email Director of Nursing Nikki Mehlhaf at Nikki.Mehlhaf@freemanregional.com or call her at 605-925-2126.
Who do I contact if I want information about an apartment at Walnut Street or Dewald Street Village?
Contact Lindsey Unruh at 605-925-4000 or email at lindsey.unruh@freemanregional.com.