Mom is miserable in rehab. Any advice?

dixiegirlnc: Perhaps you should speak with an elder law attorney for recommendations on a Miller Trust so that your mother would then qualify for Medicaid. You definitely should NOT bring your mother home AMA. Quite possibly, her cognitive functionality is worse than a "mild" case.

It took my mom 90 days.

I want to address what Lea mentioned in a reply she made. "You can change Rehabs" I don't think people realize that you do not have to go to Rehab. Or if you are not satisfied with the one a LO is in, you can transfer them. You can also remove them if you can prove that things have been set up for a "safe discharge". And that threat that Medicare and insurance won't pay if you leave AMA is not true, they will pay for the time the person was in care. What they won't do is give you any prescriptions or discharge papers. The other day a poster said a LO left AMA and ended back in the hospital with the same problem and his insurance then said they would not pay for his care because he left Rehab AMA. To me, that sounds like what should happen. Rehabs are not prisons. They do have the right to keep you because its "unsafe" and 24/7 care is needed and in home care has not been set up.


I know with Mom it was "We are sending her to Rehab, which one do you prefer" If I knew what I did later, I would have said "No, set up PT at her AL". With Dementia her experience was awful. She was in a wheelchair most of the time only having PT for short periods. Activities "would you like to make a card" to a woman who did not understand the aide. A GP took it upon himself to stop Moms Graves desease med because her levels were normal. THEY were normal because...she was on medication and had a Specialist I think should have been consulted before another doctor takes it upon himself/herself to change a medication. I was told she would never walk without assistance even with a walker. They kept her for 18 days after I told them there was no money after the 20 days that Medicare pays for. She got back to the AL and within 24hrs was walking all over with her walker.

Lea was aware that she could change Rehabs and that is what she did. So her experience ended well. But I live in Low populated area. We don't have too many options. Yes Medicare goes anywhere but supplimental insurances and Medicaid are State based. Medicaid limits you where you can go. What you need to know is what your rights are as a patient. If you feel a facility is not doing their job, you have government agencies you can complain to even your insurance companies.

What I remember from Moms stay was a fellow classmates Mom who had broken her hip which can cause death. Mrs M was in with Mom. Her two children were there everyday. This one day I was leaving and she was sitting in a wheelchair in her room next to a window that put her in silhouette. She was in almost complete darkness sitting with a blanket around her shoulders with her head down. Is Rehab really worth it when the person gets depressed being there. She made it home but died not long after. Yes she was probably 87, Moms age. Yes, she broke her hip. But, did the Rehab experience hasten her death? I for one dread the thought of ever being in a hospital or Rehab for any length of time. Both are depressing and I can see where delirium sets in. No, I will not be a good patient. 😏

I wouldn't take her home. She is unsafe. She could leave the stove on, water on, walk out the door and get lost. I'd go to their care meeting and see what's going on. Amd consider moving her closer to one of her family.