My dad has PSP, is bedridden, has difficulty eating, but has been denied by skilled nursing facility because he's too healthy. What do I do?

Thank you for all the feedback! I think we have been relying on others assuming we are getting the answers. Part of our hesitation has been due to my mom wanting to keep my dad home as long as possible, but now the physical toll on her is too much (not to mention that the emotional toll is extraordinarily devastating). I'll start making calls and being a squeaky wheel. So sad that is needed to get health care for a man who worked non-stop since he was a teenager. Again thank you for the support and feedback - it is greatly appreciated!

Contact the nursing homes and ask the directors "why" he was denied. Don't stop until you get an answer.

Contact his doctors office again and explain what has happened. Have the doc submit more paperwork for your dad to get placed. Ask to get a Social Worker on his case right away. Keep calling until you hear from the SW.

If your dad doesn't qualify for financial assistance, he will have to spend down some money until he does qualify. They will allow your mom to live in their house and keep some money.

A nursing home doesn't disqualify potential clients just because he can feed himself. Make sure you tell them he will be paying privately until he spends the needed amount to get Medicaid.

There is an ombudsman for each nursing home and their phone number is posted in a common area of the facility. Call him/her and ask for help.

Call the Area on Aging and also Adult Protective Services.
You want to make a "stink", to get things moving. Don't just sit back and wait, be proactive. The squeaky wheel gets the oil.

As a last resort, take dad to E.R. for "something" (any ailment he might have), then refuse to take him home. Tell them that your mother has fainted taking care of him and can no longer do it and you and any siblings are working and can't care for him either.
Get in touch with the hospital SW.

There is going to be a way for your dad to be placed.

My Mom had Dementia, otherwise healthy and was feeding herself. She received Medicaid. Have seen people in NHs I wonder why they r there. I think your friend is wrong. You need to find out why Dad was denied. Does he have a Trake? A lot of Nursing facilities will not take these patients. When u find out the reason, call the Dr. and tell him. Maybe he can step in. Your Dad is bedridden, right there is a good reason. By the way, I don't feel that SW did her job. She should have found out why he was turned down.

Your dad needs to be medically at need for a nursing home bed. That is gerealy a thick file documenting his need. You need to ask specifically why they denied him. And then justify his need.

Perplexed,
My  Mom had PSP.

When we got her into a Nursing Home she fell a lot but could still walk and feed herself.

Most Nursing Homes have an in house Social Worker. Utilitize the in house Social Worker.

If your Dad meets the Medical Need requirement I am assuming your Dad was denied because he was not eligible for Medicaid and can not self pay.

Were you given a reason why Dad was denied Medicaid?

PSP is Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. It is like ALS and Parkinson's combined. His doctor did do the paperwork for medical need, which got us a social worker for a month. The social worker found 3 locations with an available bed. All 3 declined my dad. My friend said that because he can still feed himself, he doesn't qualify, but that seems odd to deny someone based on 1 factor. He did not get Medicaid. The access to the social worker ended 2 weeks ago, so we are at a loss.
Thanks for any suggestions!!

You need to find him a nursing home that accepts Medicaid and ask for their help with the application, they should accept him "medicaid pending".

I'm sorry, I don't immediately recognize what PSP is, can you clarify?

Have you had a "needs assesmebt" by your local Area Agency on Aging?

Has his doctor completed the paperwork that indicates that he is in "medical need " of a nursing home level of care?

I'm sorry for the questions, but answers will get you better information, I promise!!