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Twinkie2125 Asked April 2020

Has anyone run into a problem getting your loved one into rehab due to being positive to the COVID-19 virus?

My Mom has been in the hospital for 3 weeks and symptom free for 10 days now and still testing positive. Most nursing homes need to see a negative test to take someone for rehab. The news reporting now is that you can remain positive for a long time with no symptoms. She needs to get out of the hospital desperately to get moving as she is having pain in her extremities probably from the lack of movement. She has memory care issues and has been asking me to come home and she is so sad. Luckily the nurses are great and Facetime me daily so she can see me. Seeing her is very hard for me as I worry so much that she is not going to get out of the hospital in one piece. I have been making calls to local nursing homes begging them for a bed but they are not taking positive patients. The case workers are also trying very hard to get her a bed but the competition is tough and anyone showing negative will get the bed first. She is coming from Assisted Living which would not be a safe place for her without having rehab as she cannot walk more than a few feet or sit up in bed very long. What do I do? I am so frustrated and out of ideas. Anyone that has had this situation that can offer any ideas or share frustrations would be appreciated. Thanks!

Momheal1 Apr 2020
When my mom was admitted for encephalopathy from a UTI back in January - I was able to get her PT and speech in her room, but I also was able to be there with her to make sure they came every day. Being in there I was able to say “she can do more and would push for them to keep going”. I’m not sure if they will allow you to send a list that you could tape up in the room or even if they could put your name and number and have the PT call you from the room when they come in every day and discuss what you feel her therapy needs are. “This is where mom was before her fall and what she is capable of” etc. I had to be proactive and I showed them videos etc. so they knew “ok this was an active person before” and it gives them a better idea of what to work on and allows them to know her needs a little better. They may not push her if they think - oh this is someone who was like this previously. They need to have a better idea on where she was at before getting sick - I would ask it cannot hurt that if the PT could call you from the room when they come in?
When we came home I did choose to come home with Nurse on call home health and PT as well. I’m in south Florida and had used them once already after Mom’s stroke so it was an easier transition for us. If you do choose to bring her home with home health agency the hospital social worker can set up any DME equipment (bed, wheelchair, commode etc) you may need at home, as well as the home health agency and they will connect with you and make sure that you have all the necessary equipment to take her home. Do NOT leave the hospital until you have already had all equipment delivered at home. Best of luck

inneedindeed Apr 2020
Call an ambulance and let a Doctor from the ER take a look at her condition. A Social Worker will help you from there. Hope this helps.....Blessings!

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my2cents Apr 2020
You need to talk to the social worker at the hospital regarding starting her physical therapy there (or at another hospital) because of the virus issue. The virus has created some unique problems that did not otherwise exist. Under normal circumstances, she would have just slid right into a rehab bed. The hospital remains 'stuck' with her for the time being because there is no place that she can go to. They should be able to contact Medicare for special circumstances to find out what to do.

jenny13857 Apr 2020
Yes it is a big problem these days to leave your loved ones alone but this is for the betterment for them and ourselves. In this time we can do many things like reading informative blogs.
erwash Apr 2020
No trolls allowed on this forum. Get a life
dragonflower Apr 2020
If a person is a symptomless "carrier" of COVID-19, they can still transmit the virus to others. No nursing home should take a person who tests positive for any contagious disease.

Has she not been having PT while in the hospital for her mobility issues?

If she is still in AL, it might be possible for her to have in-home physical therapy. You might look into that.
Twinkie2125 Apr 2020
Thank you for your response. Things are changing everyday with this virus and I was told at the hospital a person could end up showing positive and never change to negative and that they are no longer contagious after 14 days which how long my Mom has been symptoms free. Also, there are nursing homes that have separate areas for positive people. Thanks for the idea about physical therapy. I will look into it.
Angelheart2 Apr 2020
A bit confused here. I read she was already in AL. Have they said she may not come back? Why hasn't the doctors ordered in hospital Rehab at this point. At least until you are able to get her into a Rehab Facility. This COVID-19 has a lot on health care problems that did not exist before or at best it is keeping many from moving forward with care that would be a next step. Another question your post left me was -- If she was in AL why don't they have in house rehab - which most AL facilities have ). Assisted living is supposed to be exactly that - assistance for the resident - whatever type of assistance that may be. Keep trying, this is not an easy thing for any of you to be dealing with - Payers for all concerned.
Twinkie2125 Apr 2020
Thank you for your response. Yes my Mom is in Assisted Living where she hit her head and ended up in ER then positive for Covid and now can't walk and is having trouble eating and swallowing along with really worse Dementia. They have not returned any of my calls at the AL and have not expressed any concern for my Mom. I think I would have to get outside services to come in and I am looking at how Medicaid(Mass Health) may pay for this. I wake up with a lump in my throat every day just thinking about my Mom still in the hospital just waiting for rehab. The hospital is doing PT but seems very limited as I had to call and suggest it after the Facetime calls and seeing how she has declined. Being proactive does help me from being emotional making calls and talking to facilities. I know it sounds selfish but my early retirement plans seem to be on hold. Thanks
Cascia Apr 2020
similar situation, I had to take my dad to ER on Tuesday - over the last 3 weeks he has had debilitating back pain- can't get up- hasn't been eating - lost about 30 lbs - still being diagnosed. Hoping he comes out today but he really needs rehab - he was fine three weeks ago - now if he comes home it's my mom taking care of him he's 87 she's 84. she would be basically ok with it but the toilet is an issue- am hoping I can get some help- have had visitors the last two weeks - nurse on call, an aide and PT- but I am afraid coming home he will be further diminished terrified of what's to come next. we were just about to meet with a gastroenterologist for cancer issues before this all hit an he was laid up- no am not sure at all what is going on. His primary said he wanted him diagnosed and out of the hospital asap its day 4 now and I think he may be a lot worse -- not sure how I ma going to handle this and I don't want him in any facility- one he's never been before and not is not the time to start. I live about 10 min away and I am exhausted - can't imagine my mom. So terrified I am single and an only child trying to navigate the whole thing.
LM5214 Apr 2020
Have you considered in Home Care Agency and outside Physical Therapy practices that can really help your parents. I can speak with you more about your situation and my offer some assistance.
erwash Apr 2020
Similar situation - I had to take her home, got support from Nurse On Call and will take care of her until ALF or SNF opens up again. My situation is a little more difficult as I am dealing with Stage 6 Vascular Dementia, Incontinence and no ability to walk

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