She has her own home and lives alone. Has meals on wheels. She’s just sitting in rehab for the 5th time this year and it’s been 4 weeks. Other than 45 minute walk with PT, they insist she be in chair or the bed. She feels “imprisoned “. She wants to go home and hire personal care attendants.
Does she have a son or daughter managing her care?
You are a good friend Mary but I suspect there is more to the story.
She isn't in prison.
If it is safe for her to leave and she wishes to leave rehab, then she should inform her doctor she wishes to leave. Social workers will be assigned to assess safety of the discharge and followup may be ordered by her MD.
Signing out "AMA " (Against medical advice) is possible if she is adjudged by staff to be COMPETENT. But this is dangerous if it is felt by her medical team she isn't safe or ready for discharge.
As a "friend" you cannot manage or assist in this. Tell her to speak with doctors and staff about all this.
The woman needs to talk to the doctor who sees her at the Rehab and tell him she wants to be discharged, if he says no, he better have a good reason why not. If he says she needs care at home then she is going to need to set up that care before she is released and prove it. In home PT can always come in.
The next time she is hospitalized and rehab is suggested, she does not have to go. She can request in home care. There is no law that says she has to go to rehab. She can turn it down.
I would love to know where in Del she is. My daughter has worked them all. You can private message me.
Just sayin’……..biting off more that she can chew is an apt phrase that comes to mind.