My soon to be 87 year old mother is almost blind, broke her arm in March and fell on July 12 and fractured her pelvis. She is in the skilled nursing unit of our hospital. We live together and I am her primary care giver. I work from home, which is good, because she has frequent falls. I found out Saturday they are releasing her to come home tomorrow. I don't think she is ready. She can't walk, even with her walker, alone. She can't go to the bathroom without help. They told me I need to talk to the discharge planner and therapists to find out what we need at home, what her Humana/Medicare replacement plan will pay, etc... The first day she was an inpatient, the home care coordinator told me they would get home care set up and ensure it would be paid for.
Can I try to negotiate with the insurance company to get what we need at home? We have a private agency that provides 3 short shifts a week now, we did that after her fall. I plan on keeping them, but I have a huge concern that mom isn't ready to come home. She really needs full time care. I am getting ready to go the hospital now and start getting some answers. They just sprung this on me that she is coming home tomorrow.
I don't feel prepared at all for this and she should have coverage there for 90 days, I am sure insurance is just saying it's time for her to be released.
I look forward to reading more posts, I have been her caregiver for 8 years, since my father passed away. Before that, I stopped to check on them daily and was my father's POA.
Nanc
Also, just because the hospital says she needs to leave, is not always a good enough reason. They do that because they will not get any further payment from Medicare, if she stays there longer, due to what are referred to as DRG's.
If she is unable to ambulate, you may want to check into a long term care facility
for rehabilitation. That sounds, like a more reasonable decision at this time. That does not mean your mom will never be able to come home. But I would think that if you need to work, even though it is from home, you will need some sleep!!!!!!!!
I hope this helps you a little. Blessings
I work as a medical auditor for the government, so I know a few tricks and can negotiate. I am just surprised they didn't recommend rehab. She had been in a skilled nursing unit for most of her stay and was getting therapy daily.
I just hope she improves quickly, she doesn't do well with the walker.
Thanks.
I am so glad I found this group, I know my siblings get tired of me complaining, though they don't seem to help.
The sandwich generation!!! I'm glad to know that at least you have some background and skills that will serve you well. They should have never sent her straight home, in my humble opinion, but what do I know!!! I'm just a medical professional!!!!Blessings