My brother and I have been getting calls from the case manager from hospice team on our move/ agreement for mom's discharge. I do get that the hospital needs beds and one can't just occupy the room. Trust me I get it. Mom was an active woman until her gradual decline during the past 5 years. Mom been in the hospital many times due to falls, no broken bones, her stays weren't that long, except her three different times in a rehab. I called my brother about a message that I left him concerning the case worker's call that I received, and during our conversation he mentioned how bright eyed and kind of alert she was. I wanted to visit mom tonight, but I was on the laptop sending the caseworker the listings of home health care options that I have chosen from the list she sent me by email. In the very beginning the case worker discussed hospice care and it was kind of back and for with me in my mind for it is best for mom and hate to admit it - for us. For both Health and Hospice home care they would only spend about an hour for maybe three to four days a week. I didn't think that would be enough time to spend with someone like mom and her condition. Paying out of pocket for help for the hours not covered by either is a bit much. I have done that before blowing up my credit card paying for the help. My concern is that even though my brother notice hardly any fidgeting or antsy Ness from mom compared to the previous days she was there: I'm still believing she will need 24-hour care. In her mind she thinks she can walk but she can't. My brother works some nights, and I live 15 minutes away. Before mom's last episode of hospitalization, I would pack some food, take a book to read like I was going to work and sit with mom on the nights my brother works. We are waiting to get the call for mom's discharge, and that would be great. It's those ours that would not be covered by either Home or Hospice Care that concerns me when she's home. I've mentioned to the case worker that I wanted for mom to go into rehab before coming home. I do remember mom receiving some relative care before with exercise that helped with balance and hoping to get some vocal training. I was told that was not an option from the doctor and them that was put into place. Mom would not qualify for long term care and that Medicaid would not cover for care of stay in rehab and some other kind of care that I don't remember. I felt numb and p*****d. I don't know if they are helping or strong arming me, for not being medically in tuned. Then the case worker mentioned about home health care; and I gave her my email to send listings of home health care facilities. That is why I wonder about Hospice or Home health care. With Hospice mom can be bathed and be provided comfort. Home health mom can get attention on some exercises and maybe mobile skills to help with her slurs. I'm not sure what all home health cover. I never missed a visit with mom until today. Hopefully the visit tomorrow can clear up some things stuck in my head. I'm still carry the concerns of the hours not covered. I guess I'm worried about sleep and other things like my morning walks, reading the rosery and scriptures. Or able to attend Sunday mass and volunteering with my ministry groups. I believe the best gift a person can give is time. However, I don't want to lose what makes me. I hope you all had a blessed Thanksgiving.
Home health is not a permanent fix. They are only there for therapy or what the doctor orders. Medicare only covers it with a doctors order. And you do get an aide for bathing, maybe 2 or 3x a week. Hospice pretty much the same thing.
I would say if Hospice has been recommended, its believed that Mom will be gone in 6 months. No Rehab is needed because they don't feel Rehab will improve her condition. I think you and brother need to really listen to the Social Worker. Care in a facility may be what she needs now.
You keep mentioning a brother but you do not inform us of circumstances. I am assuming he lives with your mother and is her POA?
Whatever the case, you now need 24/7 care for your mother.
Ask the "case worker" which I HOPE is a social worker to help you in applying for Medicaid for your mother, and to assist you in placing her in 24/7 care in a nursing home. Whether you choose hospice or not is entirely dependent on a diagnosis by her MD as to whether she is judged to be within six months of death.
Again, home care is an option for those who can afford 35 dollars an hour 24 hours a day for someone in need of that kind of care.
If it is, then hospice will send a nurse to start out once a week to check your moms vitals and not much else and aides to bathe her usually twice a week. The 2 of those totaled will be about an hour and a half a week, not an hour 3-4 days a week. That's a huge difference. Now as death draws nearer, they will have the nurse come out a few more days.
You must be aware that in-home hospice only does about 1% of your moms care whereas you or another family member will be doing the 99% rest of her care.
Of course being under hospice care all of your moms medications, equipment needed, and supplies will all be covered 100% under either her Medicare or Medicaid, as all of hospice care is covered 100% under both, so you wouldn't have to pay one penny for her care.
In all honesty you shouldn't be paying one penny for any of your moms care. that is on her not you.
Now as far as home health care, it will depend on your moms insurance. I believe with most you can get some short term help with that, but nothing long term. You'll have to check with your moms insurance.
And I would call her insurance myself and not take what anyone else says as fact. Get it from the horses mouth instead.
I wish you well in getting all of this figured out for your mom.
We could be more useful if you could give more details. How old is M and yourself? What financial resources does M have? What are her health problems? What care does she need? It sounds as if M’s ‘decline in the last 5 years’ and her accidents have increased her needs a great deal, and in-home care may not be appropriate or affordable. Hospice is 'end of life care', and that doesn't sound like what you are expecting.
It’s a difficult turning point, so please bring us up to speed with the facts to see if we can be of more help.