I am from New York and caring for 92 year old dad with severe dementia and is bedridden due a recent broken hip. I want to find a social worker that works with my family and me to navigate the Medicare system and community’s resourses. Hospital social workers don’t seem to lookout for my dad’s best interests. They are only interested in quick placements and moving on to next patient to discharge.
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https://www.caring.com/senior-care/geriatric-care-managers/florida/broward-county
Alternatively, ask the local Area Agency on Aging for Broward (the link was previously posted) to set dad up with "case management services".
I am in Palm Beach - when my mom was released and we came home to my house we came home with home health (nursing - therapies etc) and requested a social worker through the home health. She did give us a few local community places to check into - helped navigate if mom qualified for anything (which she didn’t) but she also went through to if my mom may qualify under any of her deceased husbands VA benefits (gave us all those contacts and set up that meeting for us ) etc.
Im unsure if the family can request one from rehab (if that is where your dad is now) as they have the same type of “Case managers”at rehab. Though they usually have better knowledge of community programs etc. - we just didn’t have much luck in south Florida with these rehab/SNF as two “case managers” quit in the 3.5 weeks mom was there and I pulled her - transferred her to the hospital and went home with HH from there - it was a the local home health agency nurse that put in for the social worker day one of Moms assessment (and was provided by Medicare).
Where is ur dad?
There are good and bad discharge planners everywhere. I've had both. If you feel you're getting short shrift, ask if there is another you could be assigned to.
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Medicare is a Health insurance. They will pay for rehab but only the first 20 days 100%, 21 to 100 days; 50%. Mom is responsible for the other 50% or secondary may pay for it. For other health related care, Medicare pays for what they consider reasonable. The 20% balance maybe paid by secondary insurance.
Medicaid is a State run program. It helps those who are low income. They can provide health insurance, in home care and Long term care in a NH. For both LTC and in home care you need to spend down. First, you need to find out what the Medicaid criteria is in your State. In mine, your assets can be no more than 2k. Your monthly income cannot go over about 2300. (Their may be a way to get around it). House and car are exempt assets but become assets after the person passes.
Call your County Office of Aging and see if there is someone who can help you.
Also ask if either the County or State publish compilations of agencies that focus on the elderly.
It's possible that his specific community may also have a Senior Center that can provide suggestions. The Senior Center in my father's community had a social worker on staff.
I would start with the above link.