My mom has dementia and has had a number of recent falls (has not been hospitalized but seen at her doctor's office). She lives alone next door to us and it is becoming a safety issue for all as we cannot provide 24 hour care, safely lift her without straining muscles etc. Her doctor has agreed to sign off on long term placement but says she has never done so before through the doctor's office and asked for me to contact the county to find out how. However, when I previously called the county they told me that this must be initiated by the doctor's office or is usually done by a hospital. I have durable POA and feel like I am stuck in the middle getting bounced back between the county and the doctor. My mom's doctor is not encouraging an "ER dump" and says she will help with any necessary paperwork. An APS social worker was also previously involved several months ago last year after a neighbor called since my mom kept wandering outside to the neighbors but no longer does this due to her recent mobility issues. The APS Social Worker encouraged us to apply for Medi-Cal at the time which we did and finally just recently got the approval for (even though my mom's premium is very high). What to do? Get the APS Social Worker involved again or just wait for the doctor/county? Hoping to avoid an ER Dump if possible but almost feels like we are running out of options to make this happen sooner rather than later.
Totally agree about her doctor not knowing about placement/where to send her.
I since spoke with a caseworker who said the best options to make placement happen sooner are either calling an ambulance after her next fall so she can get placed through the hospital or reopening her APS case and have another APS SW come out to reevaluate/possibly expedite placement by getting placed on the Assisted Living Waiver list since APS cases have priority on the list.
I told the caseworker the hospital is the better option for us so she can also get properly medically evaluated for placement rather than just another brief doctor office visit.
I bet her doctor would want us to go through the APS option to avoid the hospital but I think the hospital is the best choice as others have mentioned.
The support here means so much and always helps me get through these things!
MediCal doesn’t have premiums, so I can’t understand how yours are high.
(I’m guessing.)
I would think you first need to find a facility that takes MediCal. That facility may ask for a Dr's letter stating that Mom is 24/7 care.
Mom should have a MediCal caseworker assigned to her, call them and see what they say. Also ask what the time-line is to get Mom placed.
It is sad that the ER Dump has to be done, but, while your doctor discourages you I bet that same doctor doesn't have a clue how you can otherwise get placement, right?
I sure wish you luck and hope you will update us on what works for you.
If her doc said she'd recommend her for LTC, then I think you have what you need to fill out the app yourself.
To avoid waitlists, you can get her in on private pay (it differs by facility). The existing residents get first dibs on the Medicaid beds. FYI it usually means a shared room. Once submitted, it usually takes 3 months for it to be processed and to get an answer one way or another.
I looked it up and she can have both plans if she is at the qualifying income level. Have you contacted Medicaid yet? If, not, then see an elder law attorney to look at options with trusts