I'll be contacting the SNF tomorrow (for what it's worth because I get the run around or wrong info) but my sister's 100th day is 6 days away. I just figured they would move her to another room, thinking rehab rooms were separate from LTC. I don't know exact layout of facility because I just go to her room when visiting, but I do recognize some patients that must be LTC residents because they're sitting in an open area on the way to my sister's room. I'm not POA and my sister doesn't have any copies of any documents and says she hasn't signed anything. She does get confused, and she can really tune out real-world things, but she doesn't have a mental disorder or anything diagnosed. She's basically immobile, incontinent, multiple health issues that started with morbid obesity leading to diabetes, blood clots, congenital heart failure, etc. I am her point of contact with the facility, but they haven't filled me in on what happens next. Thanks for your help.
We chose at that time to move her to a shared room because it was less lonely.
I believe this will be her permanent room for the duration of her life. If she outlives her present funds I will have to figure out a solution then but it is too sad now to see her in her present state to overly contemplate that as that situation is not imminent.
You do need to know if she is transferred. I say this because you want to be there when they do so your sisters belongings go with her. Take an inventory now by taking pictures of everything. So if something is missing u have a picture to prove it.
You apply for Medicaid before her money runs out. For my Mom she had enough money to private pay for 2 months. Mid April I applied for Medicaid. Mom went into the NH on May 1st paying May and June. June I confirmed with the caseworker that I had spent down Moms money and given them all the info needed. Medicaid started July 1st. My State only gives 90 days to spend down, get them info needed and place the person.
If the NH is helping with the application be involved. Keep up with everything they are doing. Know who the caseworker is. You have a right to make sure the NH is doing their job. Me, I don't trust people to do their jobs so I do as much as I can and keep on top of things.
This does not seem logical. This means the NH will need to wait for their money and no assurance Sister will be OKd. I live in NJ. You have 90 days to SPEND DOWN assets, get info needed to them and place the person. You can read my previous reply on how everything was handled. Went right from private pay into Medicaid. Its always been, in NJ anyway, get that application stared before money runs out.
Have you been given this information by someone at the Rehab? If so, I would call your County Social Service office and talk to a Medicaid caseworker to confirm what you have been told. If the info is wrong, I would not use that facility to do the application. It was done between me and the Medicaid caseworker.
The POA not being in place this will be difficult.
Discharge planners will be reaching out to family soon. They often can get a temporary POA or guardianship if Sister isn't able to participate.
Sounds as though placement will be needed. I am really sorry that it has come to the end of stay to address the needs ongoing; just responded the same to another poster on the Forum moments ago. That honestly isn't your problem, but the problem of the facility which should have addressed next of kin in the case that Sis can't make her own decisions.
Call Discharge planning/Social Services today with your concerns. Tell them all you have told us.
P.S. if she is going on Medicaid she has to have at least a double room.
See All Answers