My mom is 78 years old and is recovering in a skilled nursing facility from a broken hip. She has progressed to walk (with the aid of a walker) for 125 feet. She is also incontinent and has dementia. Her doctors at the facility have determined that she cannot be by herself and needs 24-hour care. She is covered through Secure Horizons and Tricare for Life (military). Secure Horizons has determined that she has progressed to the point where they want her discharged on 3/31 and they will not cover any additional care at the facility. I contacted Tricare to see what benefits she has through them and was told to fax my POA and that it would be processed in 20 business days! Good ol government efficiency! That does me no good considering my mom is being sent home on 3/31. My mom has a limited fixed income of $1200/mo. 24-hour care for my mom at home is not a financial possibility right now. She owns her home which, from what I understand, prevents her from getting any assistance from the state. SOMEONE PLEASE HELP--THE CLOCK IS TICKING!!!!!

Welcome Timber! Sorry you are getting the "deep end" introduction to eldercare!

My suggestion is for you to talk with the social workers at your mom's facility. They cannot discharge her to "home" unless the situation there is suitable for her. Unless you can provide for her care, this may be a situation where she will have to be placed on a temporary basis until the right care becomes available.

I don't know anything about California, but BG lives there and works in the eldercare field so perhaps she'll have some info for you.

Good luck and hope things level out for you and your mom quickly!

PS BG works and may not see this until later on tonight so don't give up!!

Hi THere! I hear your panic. I, too, had a mother who was to be discharged because she didn't qualify for SNF. Today I know that to be totally false (dementia, incontinence, CHF) but at the time I was in a panic. The SNF probably said that so she wouldn't be a medicaid patient (also CA). Our elder care attorney said that the SNF absolutely could not release her unless there was a suitable placement for her (ie your home, a B&C, AL -- something). That all being said I would call the Medicaid folks and tell them of her situation and find a good elder care attorney. I know they are expensive but the good ole state of California makes it very hard to figure out what's what. I'm no dummy but I found just filling out the paperwork to apply for Medicaid troublesome. Good luck!!!

Timber SD welcome in sorry you got thrown into the deep end of the proverbial pool I also live in California and MB is absolutely correct they can not under any circumstances toss your mom out until they find a suitable situation for her.
Please do get in contact with the Medical Social Worker of this facility they can help you arrange things get you in some sort of order like look into moms insurances to see what is available to her.
Can you please clarify, is she in fact a *spouse* of a veteran?
If so is he deceased? (sorry so blunt) if so she is entitled to help through survivor benefits, if she herself is a retired veteran then she has benefits she is entitled to and in both cases it is retroactive. You will have to get a hold of all her paperwork or that of your fathers to determine whats available to her with the Social worker.
If the Social worker acts *chuckle* dumb and tells you there is nothing available I would do a little investigating since you have internet access look up in your town if there is an organization for elderly placement (non profit) I have one up in Nor Cal that helped me navigate these waters and to say she was helpful is an understatement. Ill give her a call to see if she knows of anyone in your area.
If there is nothing in the area please DO contact the Alz. association in your area they can direct you in this also, in fact I would anyhow they are a wealth of information.
I do know how you are feeling right now trust me but there is light at the end of this tunnel it may not feel like it at the moment but there are laws in place here that prevent these facilities from tossing patients out into the big bad world.
They will have to work WITH you to get a plan in motion.
Dont hesitate to ask us anything we will try our best to assist you in finding the answers you need

I just called the woman I dealt with but at the moment she is unavailable I did however research your area and came up with something similar hopefully here is the site they have contact info give them a call and just tell them you need guidance they claim they give personal evaluations so they may be able to help you and mom out
http://www.careplacement.com/alzheimers.php

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Bunnys_grl,

Ok sweetie my friend just called me back and gave me a number to a friend of hers shes known for about 7 years.
He runs an organization down in your parts his name is Chris Guitierez (sp?) Org. name is So. Cal. Seniors
Toll free is 1-866-697-3646
If for any reason you can not get through on that line the alternate is 1-626-795-7789
Tell him Melanie Richardson of Vacaville "Helping Hands" referred you to him

Thank you everyone for your help and advice. I am going to do everything recommended here.
Bunnys_grl---my mom is the spouse of a deceased veteran: my dad passed away in 1988. I am going to contact Chris as you advised.
Thanks again--keep the ideas coming!

Your most welcome sweetie anything we can do for you is exactly why we are here.
Im going to give you a website to the VA also here it is:
http://www.vba.va.gov/survivors/index.htm

This is for survivor benefits now it has links in dark blue "Death in service" & "Death after service" the latter is the one you want to click on (BTW my condolences)
Or you may contact your local office

The sticky link below:
http://eldercare.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/1196030151/m/6831027374
Has great information about the little known & used VA Aid and Attendance and Housebound benefits. It sounds like your mom is entitled. Be SURE to look into this at your earliest convenience as the wheels of the VA grind slowly...
Good luck!

Oh jeeze good one MB! I forgot all about that one
And yes your mom is entitled to that benefit as a surviving spouse Timber