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Star999 Asked May 2017

How do I get my brother out of a 1-star nursing center and get him to another place?

My brother was put in a nursing center for rehab on his ankles in November of 2016 and wants out now in April of 2017. He can read, play cards hold a conversation and he does't have problems like Alzheimer's or dementia. He is 93 years old and was in the Navy. I need to get him out of this place and he wants out. This is a 1-star place and not good, he just sits in one place all day. I am 69 and live 40 miles away, so it is hard for me to get there a lot. I have POA they tell me they gave him a test of 15 and he got 15 correct so he can make decisions. 

Star999 May 2017
That's the problem there all working together , he been there from Nov 2016 they till me he's hasn't been approved for Medicaid as of last week. I went there today and his daughter that took his money was signed in so i didn't go in would only been nasty so i kept out.

JoAnn29 May 2017
Just a suggestion: Don't "ask" them if you can take him out, "tell" them you are taking him out. Nicely, but firmly. Unless a Doctor has said he can't go out, staff has nothing to do with it. If you have a problem, talk to the attending doctor.

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JoAnn29 May 2017
Let you take him out! He is not in a jail. Under the law, this facility is now his HOME. As such, they cannot force him to do anything he doesn't want. They cannot
dictate who he sees or if you can take him out. You call ahead. Tell them you are taking him on an outing for the day. They are then to have him ready and any meds he needs on his outing. You should have been given a copy of residents rights that have been drawn up by the state he is in. You need to be a little firmer with these people. You really need to report this facility to an Ombudsman. I would not give him money. If he is on Medicaid, he should have some "banked" with the facility. I would leave any info in his wallet that can be forged. License, Medicare Card, SS card, etc.

Star999 May 2017
Thanks all, My brother has 22 years in navy he was always clean cut but he looks a mess i paid to have his hair cut took two months and not done very well then, now it's a mess again been a month still no cut so i am going to take him out for a few hrs to get cut and shave I hope they let me take him out with no problem. I did buy him new cloths but looks like a lot of stuff missing money i gave him gone, not that he needed it just nice to have few dollars in the wallet.

JoAnn29 May 2017
I live in NJ. You can call an Ombudsman at 800-
792-9770 and run what is going on. Sounds like ur brother I being held against his will.

jeannegibbs May 2017
You will not have to fight them to get him released (unless he has been committed there or they have been made his guardian). But since he seems to be in his right mind, he can decide where he wants to be. Nursing Homes are not prisons. He can leave.

Find a place that would be good for him. Talk to the social worker at that place. Since he is already on Medicaid, they may be willing to take him as Medicaid Pending while the application is processed. And they will know how to arrange for his move.

1) Find a good place.
2) Talk to the social worker
3) If your first choice is full or doesn't work with Medicaid Pending, find another good place. Talk to the social worker there. Lather, rinse, repeat until you find a place for him.
4) Follow the social worker's instructions about how to proceed.

This is a lot of work for you, but at least you'll be looking near your own location. There should be no "fight" involved. Arrange it without even letting the current place know what you are planning.

Star999 May 2017
I live in NJ he is in PA to get him near me will take sometime because of Medicaid one state to another but a VA in Pa I will try far also but should be better and better is what i want but i don't know how to get him out of there, i know they will bring a Dr into it to keep him there and i have no money to fight them

jeannegibbs May 2017
Could he go to a VA facility? Would that be better? Is there one in the area? Do they have openings? If that is a possibility you could check that out.

Pick out a better nursing home for your brother. If he doesn't have other family close, find one near you, so visits will be more convenient. After confirming they have a bed available, talk to the social worker there. He or she will be able to walk you through the entire procedure.

And, by the way, has your own health improved? It is very kind of you to look after your brother. Take care of yourself, too!

Star999 May 2017
The Social worker is one of the problems there, It was my 2nd time at the place so i didn't know nothing at all, and on this 2nd visit i wanted to take my brother to my home over night so they said i had to sign him out so i put the date and return date and that was it and we left. 10 PM at night my brother sleeping they want me to bring him back i said no way i can't drive 80 miles but they kept calling and said he needed his medicine that i didn't know about but i wasn't well enough to that the drive. I was being checked for lung cancer with fluid in lung and i was able to make the run. Now next day went back know one looked at book i signed him out for so they said i couldn't take him out only for 3 hrs. I need just to pack and leave but do it right. There is an extreme more going on very evil the family is selling his stuff from his home and a lot more.

cdnreader May 2017
Dear Star,

Good of you to help your brother. Is there a social worker at the rehab clinic that might be able to point you in the right direction? And able to coordinate visits to assisted living or nursing homes that your brother would find acceptable? I know its not easy but hopefully Elder Services in the community will be able to assist you in finding a new home he will like.

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