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Tarada Asked April 2023

Care plan meeting questions: What to ask?

Llamalover47 Apr 2023
Tarada: What is the level of care my LO should expect?, Will my LO be able to stay here in the long term care unit? and What bills will Medicare not cover?

my2cents Apr 2023
First one I would ask is if they plan to retrain her to go to the toilet (if she's able to walk or walk with a walker) so that she doesn't leave facility in a diaper. Common problem to slap a diaper on folks in rehab because staff doesn't have to answer the call button so fast. They do have a training to get them up and to the restroom.

Then base your questions on observation of her at the facility - very important. If they have her laying in bed most of the day, you would like her practicing walking more, sitting in the chair, focus on improved mobility.

Ask what kind of in-home care can be ordered for her: continued physical therapy (legs) and occupational therapy (arms, upper body), weekly nursing visit, podiatry (toe nail trims and checking feet for overall health, especially if diabetic).

From observation, figure out what equipment you need. Maybe a bedside potty chair at first and then move toward making it into the bathroom. Bedside potty is great for night time use so caregiver doesn't have to try to get all the way back and forth to a bathroom and avoids fall hazards at night. Perhaps a handrail by the bathroom toilet to help lift off the toilet seat. Evaluate her weakness and get your gear together before she comes home. Estate or garage sales can save you lots of money when collecting what you need. Very often you can find 'like new' items, some never used.

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Sohenc Apr 2023
Maybe start with, "Can you explain the purpose, schedule and my role (what you want from me) in these care plan meetings?"

At my mom's nursing home (NH), these "meetings" are actually conference calls and frankly I prefer that to wasting time with in-person meetings. If you prefer one way or the other (call or in-person) that could be another question to ask. Honestly with COVID (still cases at my mom's NH) I prefer to do as little as possible in-person there.

These "meetings" (in my case a phone call) are typically 15 mins in length, lead by the lead unit nurse (not necessarily the RN my mom often sees) is a run through of the "medical and psychological status" with a list of Rx or other meds, weight/weight changes, the status or change in any abilities (still able to feed herself if someone cuts up the food, etc.), any new medical or psychological changes and what they plan to do about it. The unit Social Worker is also on the line and often says nothing if there is nothing to report in the way of changes in "socialization, activities, needs such as perhaps some new clothing items."

I often have no questions, it has been 2.5 years since my mom became a permanent resident of her NH. But if I see or notice something they should be aware of, I will report it (of course one does not have to wait until this mtg which happens about every 90 days). For example if you notice worsening sundowning or agitation in the evening or a different behavioral pattern that is not urgent, I mentioned it on these care plan calls so they note it in her record and sometime they will say (depending on what it is, once was itchy/dry skin) they say they will look into it, perhaps having a aide come more often to check on them if there is a pattern/time when the sundowning starts, etc.

Of course when a loved one (LO) first arrives/is placed, there are lots of questions at first. Ask, if they feel the question should go to your LO's assigned doctor, they'll tell you that. They can help redirect who you should ask. They also will make it clear there is limited time for these call/mtgs so feel free to call (my mom's NH they are email oriented), email to talk with them later outside of the limited time for the care plan meetings.

booboo20 Apr 2023
The care plan meeting is held with a family member present and is to inform the family members how the facility is planning to care for their parent. The plan of care states the needs of the parent and how these needs are being met. At the care plan meeting there is discussion of the parent's changes in condition, if any and how the staff responded to the changes. For example, has there been weight loss? how much? what interventions were put in place to manage this weight loss. The care plan meeting is where the family member should voice any concerns or changes seen in their family member during visits.

JoAnn29 Apr 2023
I found in my care plan meetings with the NH, it more for them than you. The SW is there, the nurse that does the care plan, therapist and one or two others. I had 15 min and was just told what they were doing for my Mom. And that was the first one. I learned to ask my questions to the Nurses that were the actual people who worked with my Mom.
Tarada Apr 2023
Thank you. 🙂
Geaton777 Apr 2023
Can you please provide more information?

Who is the care meeting for? An elder or someone younger in a facility?

What specific concerns do you have, if any?

https://www.lcplfa.org/blog/making-most-care-plan-meetings-–-part-1

https://jehllawgroup.com/ten-questions-to-ask-during-a-nursing-home-care-plan-meeting

AlvaDeer Apr 2023
Why would we have any idea of your questions?

I would start here:
What are the levels of care? (usually I-IV)
What does each level of care consist of?
What level of care is my elder requiring now?
What is the cost of each level of care?

Then it comes down to what your elder needs
1. Help with dressing?
2. Help with mobility?
3. Protection from wandering?
4. Night checks?
5. Medications and help with medications.
Etc.
That is sort of a start guide. But I am unclear on your exact question here.

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