My mom had a small stroke back in June where we took her to the hospital from the hospital they told us that she needs to do go to a rehab center to have therapy. We accepted her and the first few weeks she was fine, but then have UTI three times already. It seems that it does not go away. We went to see the urology and they have to catered her because she was retaining her urine. Now at the facility they want to discharged her on Wednesday because Medicare does not cover anymore because she is not improving on her therapy of course she had three UTI and is not capable to do anything. I worked and my husband and who is taking care at home when we are working when she cannot even feed herself or go to the bathroom on her own. She has a secondary insurance champva too. What can you advise?
11 Answers
Helpful Newest
First Oldest
First
Yet you tell them this magic words
" This is an Unsafe Discharge"
Workers don't like that message because you placed them on notice. Holding them responsible for mothers mishap
Then ask to convert with the Social Worker there, be insisted
ADVERTISEMENT
" level of care needs" .
This may address her current infection and, allow time and input from hospital team including a discharge planner at the hospital when it is time to discharge her as to what level of care she needs: is is independent living ( doesn't sound like it); is is ALF ( ??), OR, does she need 24/7 facility care ? You can explain to discharge planner that either you can meet the demands of this care at home or NOT....do not be ashamed nor guilty to refuse letting them send her home.....if you know that you are not able, tell them and insist that they find facility placement for her .....
There is also always hospice and, people often overlook this or are afraid of it....but in reality remember that hospice is about living not dying and hospice care may be the answer wherever she is being cared for.....you have the right to request her PCP refer her for hospice assessment for appropriateness for admit to hospice. Are you POA?
If your Mom has been there since June, her 100 days are almost up anyway. The catheter can be a problem too. To keep her from getting UTIs my Mom was given cranberry tablets and a probiotic. Alva swears by D-Mannose. I would get Mom cleared up and on some type of maintenance. She should be totally voiding when she goes. This may mean her sitting a little while longer till she gets the urge again. Leaning forward while sitting helps. Drink water.
She really doesn't have that many days of Rehab left. Even if hospitalized now and in those 3 days, she will only start where she finished. She maybe able to get some in home therapy though. Maybe get some exercises from the therapist you can do at home.
These UTIs can be treated as an outpatient, troublesome as they are. Sorry for the needs for catheterization, as each time these have to happen it opens one to infection again.
Mom needs to keep in touch with urologist, keep to her medication schedule, be certain that good cultures are done to specific and correct treatment of the specific pathogen, and so on, but no rehab keeps someone for medical illnesses unless they were the reason for admission and part of the rehab.
Has she been back to see the urologist?
Clearly, she needs long term care for right now. The question is, will it be in a facility, either private pay or Medicaid, at home with aides and/or family?
Those are the choices.
If she is bedridden and can't do her ADLs, she may require LTC, which is covered by Medicaid (plus her SS). LTC needs to be medically assessed as necessary by her doctor.
Not sure what "champva" secondary insurance is... specific to your state, but is it a Medicare supplement/gap coverage? Or is it LTC insurance?