Mother was admitted for agitation and severe anger issues. I was told to send her to the hospital for this. The ER doctor wanted to send her home with no resolution. I refused. That admitted for one night the down grades her to observation only. I know this won’t count towards nursing home placement but just raise the bill. They said they are working on nursing home placement but no one has called me from social services. Are they just working towards dumping us and running up the bill? She has no money or assets and I have not signed any paperwork taking responsibility for her debt. How should I proceed with the hospital to get placement?
They get paid differently for observation, and if they have no good diagnosis to admit on they will try to get you to take the patient home.
They will admit if you say you have no intention of accepting the person home, that you cannot physically or mentally care for the person.
They must have a reason to admit, a diagnosis to work up. They cannot just admit because you show up in ER normally, but will likely do a workup if you will not accept the elder back to your home.
Tell them she cannot return to you and needs a full neuro psyc workup. Speak NOW to the social workers to tell them she cannot return to you, if that is the case. Placement is very difficult right now.