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I need advice. My mom was discharged from the hospital 3 weeks ago and is now in an assisted living/ rehabilitation center. She was in the hospital due to internal bleeding from an ulcer that was exacerbated by blood thinners. The only thing she needs now is physical therapy to make it up our stairs to our apartment. She is 76 years old and is stable. She has CHF and COPD. She has difficulty walking.


Here's the backstory: My mom has an appointment with the pulmonologist on Thursday. I called the assisted living facility and they said they have scheduled the local bus service (disability bus) to come and pick her up and bring her to her appointment. I asked them what is the difference between allowing her to ride the bus vs me taking her to her appointment? I'm confused since they are in lockdown due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The care manager said "oh you can come transport her if you want to." I told her I would transport her myself. The care manager said I would be screened and my temperature taken, and allowed on her floor for 1 hour to help her get ready.


Here's my question: amid this viral outbreak does this seem appropriate for the nursing home to allow family on the floors? I assumed they would bring her down to the lobby and I would pick her up from there. I know they may be short staffed and I am more than willing to help my mom get dressed and ready to go. But how is this safe for the other patients? I can't be the only one they are allowing into the facility. Would you feel assured if you knew people were going in and out of your loved ones nursing home now? Or am I overreacting?


I'm trying to move to a downstairs apartment and also got approved for a home loan but everything is now on hold from this virus outbreak. I feel like it would be safer to try and carry her up my stairs somehow.
Any thoughts on this?

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I think we will be hearing more about this but during one of the task force updates, it was mentioned that Telehealth Services are going to be more available for Medicare patients. Ask your mom’s doctor if they have the capability.

“Telehealth services: A telehealth service is a full visit with a physician using telephone or video technology. Part B generally only covers telehealth services for people who live in rural areas and get the services in certain health care settings, rather than at home. However, Congress has waived some of the restrictions on telehealth. Medicare Advantage Plans may also cover additional telehealth benefits, including telehealth benefits in the home. If a beneficiary has a Medicare Advantage Plan, they should contact their plan to learn more.”

So, this would be one way for her to get ongoing medical care. I would cancel an inperson visit. I would ask for the Telehealth service ongoing. I am a huge believer in PT. But I’m not sure about that at this point. Your mom has many serious issues so ask a lot of questions. It could be that the medical transport could help you get her up the stairs to your apartment when she is discharged. I’m wishing you good luck and let us know how you handle this.
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AndreaE Mar 2020
Thank you and I'll let you know.
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It is concerning. I read that you will cancel your mom’s appointment. But mom’s neighbors family may not be so concerned or caring and take their mom out. That could affect your mom. I would recommend talking to the facility about their protocol.
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If your mom's appointment with the pulmonary doctor is just a routine check, I would ask if it would be okay to reschedule. This is going to get worse before it gets better. I'd avoid taking her out into public if possible.

I think the ban on visitors in the AL is to reduce the chances of the virus being brought into the facility. I'm pretty sure there is no way to get the chance down to zero. An occasional brief family visit for a good reason (like a doctor visit) is probably okay. There's a big difference in exposure between one or two members coming in to get their family member to the doctor and visitors coming in and out all day.
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AndreaE Mar 2020
We are in Washington state about 80 miles north of Kirkland. I'm thinking I should cancel her appointment. I haven't been outside my apartment in about 4 days now. The last time I went was to the grocery store and I was very cautious about sanitizing my cart and my hands before I got into my car and when I got home. But you never know what will happen right? I'm currently not sick.
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I don't know what State you live in. Virginia is having NO cases and we in California a ton of them and more in Washington State. You should cancel this appointment if the virus is active at ALL in your area, unless this is an emergency appointment. Right now she should be inside, and the stairs not a question, as she shouldn't be leaving by stairs. This could go on for months. Remember that hospital and medical office buildings are hotbeds of virus and she is very much at risk.
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AndreaE Mar 2020
**I posted this answer on the question below by accident**
We are in Washington state about 80 miles north of Kirkland. I'm thinking I should cancel her appointment. I haven't been outside my apartment in about 4 days now. The last time I went was to the grocery store and I was very cautious about sanitizing my cart and my hands before I got into my car and when I got home. But you never know what will happen right? I'm currently not sick.
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AndreaE, not only does she have COPD your profile says she has diabetes as well. She is in a very high risk group. I understand that your mom needs to practice her breathing and be checked, especially after a recent stint in the hospital. But I would contact her pulmonologist and let them guide this decision. Make sure you tell them the exposures she will have on her way to the appointment. If they advise to reschedule make sure to ask what she should do to "keep up" in the interim so her abilities don't degrade too much. Good luck -- let us know how it goes!
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AndreaE Mar 2020
Thank you for replying and I think I'll just cancel her appointment. Theres no need to risk it if shes stable.
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