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My 92-year-old mom was hospitalized for health complications that thwarted all the progress she had made to be able to walk a bit on her own. She was admitted to a rehab facility for care and P/T. She has dementia and continues to try to get out of bed by herself and is having numerous falls.


The facility is asking for a 24/7 aide — which we can’t pay for — and that will cost $6,000 for 10 days. She has refused P/T and basically is not able to walk yet. I just read we could try wedging long pillows to prevent her from getting up, but if she’s refusing P/T I can’t see that staying there any longer makes sense and think they are going to ask her to leave.


We think we will be sending her back to her AL home (memory care), but seriously question the care she’ll be getting there as the facility is poorly managed and there aren’t many caring aides that work there. We have to go every day even though we can’t always do that.


She will be basically immobile and unable to get out of bed. We selected this facility because they have a Hoyer lift, but I doubt the aides know how to use it.


Her funds were enough for two years at a facility, but we have spent down quite a bit and are in a financial bind which is going to impede what quality facility we can afford for her now. I think she needs to be in a nursing home, but the best ones in my area are private pay.


Anyone have some thoughts on what we should do if her AL facility is unable to care for my mom now that she is unable to walk? I'm not at all saavy with the world of care facilities when the money isn’t there. Is a nursing home the answer?

If she is at the point where equipment will have to be used to safely transfer her then this is going to require a Skilled Nursing Facility.
Medicaid does cover Skilled Nursing Facility where is will not cover Assisted Living.
Typically codes will not allow AL or MC to use "equipment" to transfer. You mention the one mom is in does have a Hoyer. If that is the case then there should be people trained to use it SAFELY. you can ask for a demonstration as to what they would do to get mom from her bed to a Wheelchair.
If you are not happy with the response you get begin looking for a Skilled Nursing facility.
Generally many rehab facilities also have Long Term Care as well so they may be able to keep her there. Talk to the Social Worker about Medicaid if that is necessary.
Helpful Answer (9)
Reply to Grandma1954
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Your mom more than likely now needs to be in a skilled nursing facility. And if money is an issue you'll have to apply for Medicaid for her. And if I'm not mistaken even the "nicer" facilities have to keep so many Medicaid beds available.
Ask the rehab social worker to help you find the right facility for your mom.
I wish you well in this endeavor to find the right facility for your mom.
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Reply to funkygrandma59
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Mom needs nursing home level care now. The best nursing homes generally have some spaces for patients using Medicaid. My mom was in one from private pay to Medicaid and had good care throughout. Ask the assisted living director to point you in the direction of places they would recommend. Those in the business tend to know the good and bad. You can get an appointment with a Medicaid planner to help with the process for that as well
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Reply to Daughterof1930
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Yes, a nursing home is the next step. For claiming not to be savvy regarding the world of care facilities, it sounds like you have a good understanding!

If her money has been mostly depleted, you can call and help her apply for medicaid. Sometimes a medicaid worker will visit nursing homes, to assess the patient and assist with your application process. At least, in the small Minnesota town my husband was in, because he was considered a vulnerable adult, the county worker was required to visit him and inform me of his options.

It sounds like it's time to say goodbye to the memory care AL. If you feel uncomfortable about their level of capability to care for her properly, they probably can not.
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Reply to CaringWifeAZ
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My mother refused to do PT after a knee replacement, Medicare doesn’t pay after so many refusals, she then got sent to a SNF and put on Medicaid where she can refuse all she wants. Actually, they stopped asking!
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Reply to GSDlover
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I think you are correct that if she’s refusing PT they will soon be asking her to leave, especially if you decline their request to provide an aide. They see her at serious risk of falling. Sounds like you’ve reached the point where there are no good options, just “least bad” ones.

The rehab facility should have a social worker. That would be your point person to start the process of transferring her to SNF and applying for Medicaid. I would start the conversation now as they could discharge her sooner than you expect.
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Reply to iameli
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I had a similar problem with my wife rehab was a disaster and when I got her home she still declined. First it went to inhome care to hospice.
I will say it’s all in their mind. at some point they just give up. We have the technology to extend life far beyond what nature intended so have that conversation while everyone is thinking clearly. I found once I could not get her the care she needed hospice stepped in and did a good job
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Reply to Sample
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Your mom needs to be staying in a memory care facility, like it or not. She is in danger of serious injury.
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Reply to Onlychild2024
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The AL my mom is in has a memory care, but if it takes two people to transfer, they suggested a nursing home.
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Reply to darts1975
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Nursing home, as others suggested.
Hire a social worker to help you through the process.
Many are independent (hires) and some are medical social workers.

Gena / Touch Matters
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