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The patient is living alone and is unable to go up and down the stairs to prepare her own meals after being released from a rehabilitation center. Is she entitled to a home health care aid?

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Yes, she is. She doesn't need a Dr. to sign off on home healthcare aides. She can hire one herself (or family can hire someone).
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I am curious why a rehabilitation center would release a patient who lives in a multi-level home, but cannot go up and down stairs.
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Like FreqFlyer, I'm amazed the rehab center sent her home alone to stairs she can't navigate. Doesn't sound right. If she's been out of rehab fewer than 30 days, you can ask them to re-evaluate her and take her back. I'd be hopping mad myself. Unless she's used up her 100 days and they ABSOLUTELY don't believe she can improve, they should work with her.

When they released her from rehab, the doctor should have prescribed home health care for a period of time. That entitles her to ongoing physical therapy at home twice a week, a visiting nurse who comes once or twice, an occupational therapist to help her learn how to do her daily chores (stairs included), and a personal aid to shower/sponge bath/bath her up to twice a week. I think she got short-changed. Talk to the nursing home/rehab center in-house doctor about why this wasn't prescribed and whether or not he'll do it. These therapists will be ever so helpful in increasing her ability to (possibly) take care of herself.

Is the bathroom upstairs? Potty chair on the first level might be an answer. Is her bedroom up there? Maybe a spot on the couch. Temporary, of course.
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