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Is it the law to have a followup with a home visit from a nurse?

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Aging 44, thanks so much for being so responsive to us.
I see now that you don't want visits at home for your Sis, who is living with you.
You tell us that's because you fear covid being brought in.
I find it difficult to believe that when Sister was so long in care, and that's where the real danger was. Any caregivers entering your home should be-- and you can demand ARE-- masked. You can mask yourself as well for extra safety.

I encourage you not to squander the progress sister made. I can't know why they want followup but clearly they are issues they want to check as regards sister. They could be anything: continence and care, bed sore prevention, safety of home, wound healing, breathing issues, nutrition, and I could go on and on and on.
This is a GOOD THING. It is also something you CAN refuse, but let me tell you that if you DO refuse and your loving sis ends up in the ER or hospitalized, or with problems, then you face them investigating why.
And I am asking why you would not encourage rather than refuse extra help as well.

I want to encourage you to accept this help. I can't know what you are afraid of but know they aren't interested in how gorgeous your home is, only how safe. Aren't interested in much of anything but your sister's recovery and your ability to safely help her with it.

If you were worried about this, why did you not refuse it initially or question them as to why it's needed?
I encourage you to welcome them.

What they mean by "opening a case" as you asked is simply they will interview you both about what support you may need. Do you need something they can supply you. What help can they give. Perhaps even with baths a few times, continued PT, meal delivery, whatever. Who do you need there and how often. An RN? An Aide? A PT person? A Social Worker to check in. And etc.

Just my opinion. I would welcome them. Accept all the extra help you can get.
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When a person is released from Rehab, sometimes homecare is ordered for follow up. Its not a law. You can say no.
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aging44 Jan 2, 2024
Thanks. they'd like to set up home care services and "open up a case." What does open up a case mean? I am her caregiver. Can I still refuse?
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Ask His Primary care Physician to write the VNA to come check On Him .
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Well, I can tell you that my mom, prior to her death in October of 2020 (the heart of the pandemic) was in and out of the hospital and whenever she was discharged, we basically had a revolving door of health people - nurses, PT, OT, etc. - in and out of our house, and none of us, including mom, contracted covid.

If everyone in contact with mom takes precautions - masks, vaccinations, maintaining distance when possible - I don't see where her risk would be substantially more than, say, her risk when she was actually staying in the facility. Not to mention exposure at doctors' offices, grocery stores, houses of worship, etc.

It's mom's decision, obviously, but I think it's somewhat short-sighted to refuse ANY sort of help coming in for mom out of fear of covid, especially since there ARE vaccines, and there ARE treatments for it, should one get it.

As far as "doing the exercises on her own" - my husband had BOTH hips replaced as well as a "revision" on one of them, and as time went on, his PT became very different the longer he went into his rehab. In other words, the exercises she was assigned in the facility will likely change as she gets her strength back and is able to do more. That's also something you need to keep in mind.

And, while I am not sure about this so you might want to check, should mom "refuse" home services now, insurance might not cover additional services later should she regress or re-injure herself. Were I you, I would look into that before you unilaterally refuse home health services.
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Not necessarily a visit, depending on insurance a nurse may call after discharge to see how the elder is doing and if she/he can be of help with other assistance.
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I don't believe so, no.

Do you mean discharged from rehab in a skilled nursing facility, or discharge as a long term care resident?

I believe a nurse would visit only if an MD ordered Home Health Care. Or if the patient's insurance company provided this as an added follow-up.
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aging44 Jan 1, 2024
Thanks.. Yes medicare provided the follow up. Also, this was a SNF, not a nursing home
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Why do you ask? More information please.
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aging44 Jan 1, 2024
My mom had a hip fracture. She was in a snf for a month. She just came home a couple days ago and they said they will send a nurse to visit to follow up with her care weekly and send a physical therapist weekly. What if she or I don't feel comfortable with that due to fears of covid from people coming in from the outside? Covid is here to stay and we still have that fear of contact. Is this a legit reason to refuse? I can do her blood pressure and she likes do her own blood sugar(she is diabetic.) Exercises we can do on our own as well. She was taught at the facilty.
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I wouldn't think so.
What is the condition that they would be following, can you tell us?
Usually followup is with the patient coming to medical for followup, unless that is impossible.
Do give us more details.
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aging44 Jan 1, 2024
Fractured hip, post snf discharge
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