Caregiver unexpectedly ends up requiring emergency surgery. Now what?

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Caregiver unexpectedly ends up requiring emergency surgery. Now what?

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As if the challenges of being a caregiver weren’t enough, I ended up with a collapsed spine and had emergency back surgery. Of course there is no one to take care of me, and I’m stuck in the hospital waiting for room in a rehab place to be approved. So now I have a serious and debilitating condition and I’m attempting to be my own advocate as well as try and find help for my dog to be cared for and to still be dealing with my mom. I’m on heavy duty narcotics and am weak, out of it and completely dependent on others for my own ADL. This is horrible and I don’t have the energy to sit on the phone on hold nor do I have any documentation to refer to other then my Medicaid card. I am at my wits end. I’m racking up huge bills of my own that will be another cluster fuc&$($ of things to look forward to and I think the stress is going to kill me, If the excruciating pain and physical therapy sessions don’t do it first. Mostly I’m writing this to vent because I feel trapped and scared right now.

Family Caregiver Mobility Mom

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You are facing a huge challenge and my heart goes out to you. No wonder you are scared, I would be too. There must be a social worker in the hospital who can help. Do you have a Church community from whom you can request help?

For the dog, contact a local animal rescue (Cat or Dog one) and ask if they can arrange an emergency foster. I volunteer with a Cat Rescue and a few times a year we find foster placements for people in your situation. Generally you cover the cost of food and any vet care needed, but you are not charged for boarding. Our gourp has found fosters for cats, dogs, rabbits and a ferret.

Mum; is she in your home, her own home or a care facility? You are correct you can not look to her needs at this time and perhaps moving forward. If she is in a care facility, have the hospital social worker call the facility and tell them you are out of commission for the next several months. If she is at home and cannot manage alone, then have the hospital social worker find a care placement for her. If money is an issue, Medicaid will have to be applied for.

If there is any other family, even if they are across the country, it is time for them to step up regarding Mum. Even if it means moving her a great distance, you need to concentrate on your own health and recovery.

This is such a hugely challenging situation.

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Thank you. Yes, lots of challenges. My family has been through the wringer these past few months with the passing of my dad, my mom and her Alzheimer’s and now me being homebound an d ill. We have run through outside help, family help and help from friends and neighbors. Money has runout for me, hence Medicaid for me and my parent’s money is running out for my mom. It’s the nightmare that keeps recurring. To those who say to prepare for a disaster, yes, agreed. However, no matter how much you prepare and how much you saved and so on, it’s next to impossible to know how much is enough. Friends and family aren’t enough either once illness drags out. It’s just a horrible situation that snowballs.

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I’m so sorry this has happened to you. Trying to navigate the system on your own when you are not at your physical and mental best is nearly impossible. You need to ask for help. Ask your nurse to contact the hospital’s Social Services department for you. They will be able to find someone to help with your mom and may even be able to find someone to temporarily foster your pup until you’re back on your feet. You don’t need to do this alone. Hope you feel better soon!

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Thank you. Medicaid denied my rehab stay and sent me home. Although I’d much rather be home trying to recuperate, it’s no picnic. I basically got a shuttle that dropped me off at my front door and was told to follow up with my doctors and to arrange PT. It’s a nightmare, and I can’t take care of myself. Thankfully some friends and neighbors and a family member flew out to help me for a few days. Otherwise I’d be home alone struggling to deal.

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Thank you. Mom is in a facility. Thankfully! I’m already on Medicaid but just signed whatever papers were given upon being admitted as an ER patient in intense pain. I’m 7 days into my hospital stay and am awaiting Insurance approval to be moved to a rehab facility as I cannot take care of myself. A neighbor volunteered to feed and give water to my dog. I may need 6-9 months to recuperate and am going to be by myself. Again thank you for letting me vent as it hurts too badly to cry.

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If there is a Council on Aging or Office on Aging in your jurisdiction you should contact them to see what services might be available to you.

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Thank you

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Alzh,
I feel so badly for you in this difficult situation.

Maybe these suggestions may provide someone that could help;
Nevada’s Care Connection
Aging & Disability Resource Center Program
- Provides comprehensive assistance, advocacy, and access to programs and services that help consumers maintain their desired quality of life - ADRC services can be accessed through local programs or through the web portal at www.nevadaadrc.com

State of Nevada
Consumer Health Assistance & Bureau for Hospital Patients
555 E. Washington Avenue, Suite 4800 – Las Vegas, NV 89101
702-486-3587
- Advocates for patients’ rights by providing help for Nevadans with health related concerns such as hospital bills, provider bills, prescription needs, medical benefits, appeals, insured or uninsured and workers compensation

Advanced Home Care
2860 E. Flamingo, Suite C-3 – Las Vegas, NV 89121
702-534-5125
Provides in-home non-medical care to the elderly or disabled - Services include: Bathing, dressing, light housekeeping, meal preparation, and transportation - Grants available to help pay for services - Accepts Medicaid

Alliance For Well-Being
Mobile Case Management & Education
3315 E. Russell Road, Suite A-4 #239 – Las Vegas, NV 89120
702-898-0808
- Offers mobile case management to Medicaid and private-pay clients - Assessments are made to identify problems and provide solutions - Services include: Arranging and monitoring in-home services - Placement assistance - Community referrals - Crisis intervention - Liaison to families at a distance - On-call 24 hours

Catholic Charities
Senior Companion Program
4840 S. Eastern Avenue – Las Vegas, NV 89119
702-382-0721
- Companions assist frail, at-risk, and isolated seniors with services they need to prevent the onset of assisted living - Seniors may receive assistance with chores, grocery shopping, picking up prescriptions, transportation to doctor appointments, and more - Must be referred by one of the following agencies: Aging & Disability Services, Clark County Social Service, Senior Dimensions, Meals on Wheels, McFarland, Monsignor Shallow or Stella Fleming Apartments

Nightingale Home Health of Nevada, Inc.
2820 W. Charleston, Ste. 41 – Las Vegas, NV 89102
702-240-9002
- Skilled nursing, physical, speech, and occupational therapy - Home health aides - Telemedicine monitoring - VoiceCare: Personal Emergency Response System - Accepts Medicare and Medicaid

HELP of Southern Nevada
1640 E. Flamingo, Suite 100 – Las Vegas, NV 89119
702-369-4357
- Emergency Resource Services: Provides assistance with rent, utilities, bus passes, clothing vouchers, food vouchers and hygiene products - Please call ahead or visit website (helpsonv.org) to receive information on availability of services - Those needing assistance with rent or utilities may complete and submit an online application

Helping Hands of Vegas Valley
2320 Paseo Del Prado, Suite B112 – Las Vegas, NV 89102
702-633-7264
- Transportation for seniors age 60 and over for medical appointments, grocery shopping.

Sorry this is so long but hopefully one of these can help you.
God bless.

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Thank you so much. I’ve been on the phone most of the day and have been transferred and rerouted to different agencies. I did manage to find transportation to my upcoming medical appointments but some of the “ services” out there have a year long waiting list. Also, I’m not quite old enough for some qualifying which is a new shock. Friends and family are trying to assist currently but they also have my mom in the mix who as one could guess is not doing well with me being incapacitated. Thank you all for the encouragement and resources. Much appreciated!!!

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So sorry...I just can't imagine what you are going thru. Please come back and update us on your progress. Or, just to vent.

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Thank you. It helps to vent.

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I can’t imagine but sending warm thoughts your way. Hope things start improving for you soon.

Take care.

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Thank you! My next surgery is tomorrow morning. I’m so hoping that my pain goes away and that I can start healing. My poor mom feels abandoned because I dropped off the face of the earth and can’t visit her. It’s a very trying time, but hopefully things will improve soon. Thanks again for the kind words.

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If you have Medicaid why are they not paying for your care?

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Just because I have Medicaid insurance in place doesn’t mean it’s being billed or charged correctly. In dealing with medical bills from being my parent’s caretaker, I know the kinds of things that come up. I’m still being charged for MRIs that took a year to go through for approval and I was assured were going to be covered. Now I have a whole new set of financials to deal with before those even got fixed. It’s just more stuff to add to a horrific situation and now I don’t have the strength to go on to attempt my own healing.

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Thinking of you today. Hoping the surgery went amazingly well. Will watch for update when you are able. Please take time to heal. Allow your body what it needs.

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Thank you! I’m so glad the surgery is over. Now I can heal.

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Wow. Unfortunately I can offer you nothing but my sympathy.

I'm surprised that medicaid denied rehab. I thought that was up to the doctor. If they order it, then it's a go.

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They denied in patient, and in home, but approved out patient PT. It’s getting an appointment and getting to appointments that is the difficult part when it’s difficult to move. I’ll be almost 3 weeks post surgery before I’m even assessed by a PT.

Caregiver unexpectedly ends up requiring emergency surgery. Now what?

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