Renable us not a prison and they cannot hold her there if you want her home as long as you understand what her care needs are. My mother had been to rehab after a hospital stay for Covid and she did need rehab however right from the beginning there were so many problems with her care. First I found out they were not even bringing her a meal tray into her room, and I only found out because I was there at the time. I asked when she was to get her tray only to be told they were given out already. I had to get them to put her on a diet list and get her food, then it came as all puree. I asked why and they had no explanation so again I had to request regular food. Then I found out they were doing finger sticks on her about four to six times a day, again why? So they said because she's diabetic, and I had to get them to cancel that order because my mother has never been diabetic in her life. So between not getting food, unnecessary finger sticks I was peeved. My mother starting shutting down, barely speaking. Then I found out the actual physical therapy was only about an hour a day so I felt she could do better at home. I had to have a meeting with the team and they all tried to say it was unsafe for her to go home but I countered all their arguments by listing ALL the issues and the incorrect info they were basing her treatment on EVEN though I had done an intake assessment with the admitting doctor. I told them I had everything she needed for a safe transfer home and that the only thing I needed set up was at home physical therapy and transportation home. At the end they were still trying to make her stay but the tune changed when I told them I was a nurse and knew they couldn't keep her. I usually don't bash hospitals or rehab because I've worked on that side of it but I truly felt money was a driving force here as my mother has excellent insurance that covers a lot. Don't let anyone push you into what is not in the best interest of your loved one. Conversely be sure you have everything you need for care, and support of your loved one. Wishing you the best outcome.
Interesting question a rehab place pulled that on me with my wife. She was there for a broken wrist and rehab on her legs. They tried picking her up by her broken hand and re injured her wrist that required me to take her to the er. I wanted her out but they would not let me until her insurance ran out. Later I found out they can not do that legally. Lawsuit pending.
You can always discharge the person against Medical advice (AMA) but they will not give you prescriptions and I think a poster said if they go back to the hospital for the same thing they were taken out of rehab for, insurance may not pay.
For everyone's information, you can turn down rehab. Its not a given. When they called me at the hospital about discharging my Mom, I was told Mom was going to Rehab. I was not given the impression I had a choice just asked which Rehab did I want her to go to. You have a choice. Both my Dad and a friend of mine turned it down.
I was told by the RN at Moms AL that if your going to Rehab just to strengthen you, its 3 days of therapy for every day you were in the hospital. For Mom that should have been 9 days, she was discharged from Rehab after 18 days. I heard she could not take direction and could not remember her exercises from day to day. She had Dementia. I would have been better saying no to the Rehab and having Mom do therapy at the AL. I was told she would never walk unattended, within 24 hrs being back to the AL she was walking with a walker. So much for therapy.
I agree with Alva. You said in your profile that she came to rehab from assisted living. It is entirely possible that whatever reason took here there may prevent her from returning to an assisted living facility - or they do not think it is safe for her to return to a place where she does not have 24/7 attended care. It may be temporary until they feel that she is strong enough to go back. Or it may be a permanent situation where they are not releasing her because she is not in a suitable condition to return to live on her own, even with "assistance" that is not 24/7 and will need to step up to a skilled nursing facility.
You don't mention why she is in rehab. Can you share more about what happened?
You are concerned about the fact that you have not been included in the decisions about her care - and you mention that you placed her in Assisted Living. Do you have POA? Or does one of your siblings?
I'm guessing at 95 that the most likely scenario is that she fell and they took her to the hospital and from there she was transferred to the rehab facility to work on getting her strength back, perhaps had a UTI that contributed to thing and very well may STILL have that UTI, since you mention that she doesn't understand why she is there. If she does NOT have a UTI, and she is still confused about why she is there, I would be curious if there has been any deterioration in her mental capacity that you are not aware of. If you or one of your siblings has POA you should be able to get any detail that you wish from the rehab facility. And I would definitely raise the concern with the Assisted Facility that you were not contacted regarding the transfer when it occurred.
Why is Mom in Rehab? And why would she not understand why she is there?
Rehabs are not prisons. But they, by law, have to make "safe" discharges. Family may have to prove that safety measures are in place and care is being given especially if 24/7 care.
Yep, I learned this the hard way. My mom was transported home by ambulance and when they learned she did not have overnight care, they were going to turn around and bring her right back. I was 3000 miles away and had to arrange overnight coverage for several weeks while on the other line with the EMT before they would agree to let her stay at home.
when my husband was in rehab after back surgery, the covering doc would not let him out until his coverage ended. Hub & I wanted him out because they were drugging him & wouldn't tell me what they were giving him. I finally went to the surgeon who was able to override the presiding doc. The back surgery was early Dec 2019. Hub left rehab Jan 11 2020. We didn't know about Covid on that date, but if he had stayed until the end of February he might have never gotten out alive. I firmly believe that if you have a strong gut feeling, go with it with all you can.
You can take her home “against medical advice.” If you choose to do so, do it “amicably.” Arrange for in-home therapy to continue any recovery in-progress.
Before you do so, make sure your house is most importantly, safe (occupational therapists can help with this), properly equipped and you have backup for care giving (family and paid CNAs both are a good plan, if possible). You may not be able to safely leave your loved one at home alone, so get coverage arrangements in place. The rehab providers can always report you if they think your elder family member is not receiving appropriate care so tread gently and make sure you have everything ready.
Need more information here, like LOTS more!
I was told by the RN at Moms AL that if your going to Rehab just to strengthen you, its 3 days of therapy for every day you were in the hospital. For Mom that should have been 9 days, she was discharged from Rehab after 18 days. I heard she could not take direction and could not remember her exercises from day to day. She had Dementia. I would have been better saying no to the Rehab and having Mom do therapy at the AL. I was told she would never walk unattended, within 24 hrs being back to the AL she was walking with a walker. So much for therapy.
Is the rehab center saying that she could benefit from more time there? This isn’t unusual if they are.
Why is she in rehab? Tell us more, please.
You don't mention why she is in rehab. Can you share more about what happened?
You are concerned about the fact that you have not been included in the decisions about her care - and you mention that you placed her in Assisted Living. Do you have POA? Or does one of your siblings?
I'm guessing at 95 that the most likely scenario is that she fell and they took her to the hospital and from there she was transferred to the rehab facility to work on getting her strength back, perhaps had a UTI that contributed to thing and very well may STILL have that UTI, since you mention that she doesn't understand why she is there. If she does NOT have a UTI, and she is still confused about why she is there, I would be curious if there has been any deterioration in her mental capacity that you are not aware of. If you or one of your siblings has POA you should be able to get any detail that you wish from the rehab facility. And I would definitely raise the concern with the Assisted Facility that you were not contacted regarding the transfer when it occurred.
Rehabs are not prisons. But they, by law, have to make "safe" discharges. Family may have to prove that safety measures are in place and care is being given especially if 24/7 care.
Before you do so, make sure your house is most importantly, safe (occupational therapists can help with this), properly equipped and you have backup for care giving (family and paid CNAs both are a good plan, if possible). You may not be able to safely leave your loved one at home alone, so get coverage arrangements in place. The rehab providers can always report you if they think your elder family member is not receiving appropriate care so tread gently and make sure you have everything ready.
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