I never handed in a letter but Moms primary was probably notified and asked to fill out a form for both the AL and the LTC. A doctor in a hospital or Rehab can probably say a person is 24/7 care and needs to be placed.
My Mom was 24/7 care because of Dementia and I had no problem placing her. Her only health problem was high B/P. There were a lot of residents just like Mom. Some in wheelchairs. There were bedridden ones too.
Very often a doctor is the one who orders SNF just as a doctor is the one who orders rehab. This ordering usually is done when patient is in hospital care and discharge from acute care is imminent. That means that your elder has taken a fall or become ill in some way, and no longer needs acute hospitalization, but DOES still need skilled nursing support beyond what PT and OT rehabs supply. This may be dressing changes or the continuing administration of IV antibiotic or a host of other things. Where is your elder living now, or is she hospitalized? Are you in contact with Discharge Planning or Social Services? What acute nursing care is required? Have you discussed this with her doctor?
Here is what I learned from my experience doing exactly this. Back in August my 95 yo mother decided she wanted to go into the NH to be with her husband. At the time she was on hospice. A NH administrator said we needed a PRI which I was able to obtain from hospice. It was also suggested from someone who was helping me to have her PCP write a letter. I brought her to her PCP and that was done.
I then went to the NH with these two documents to put in her records for their "waiting list" only to have the director of admissions tell me that they do not accept people directly from the community. Placement is done through the hospital.
This is how it goes in NY, not sure how it is where you are. We had to wait until my mother had a medical problem and was admitted to the hospital to get her into the the facility.
Usually the facility interviews people to assess what level of care they need (like AL, MC). A doctor needs to assess someone for LTC (which is covered by Medicaid).
Your profile says your LO has dementia. So unless they have more profound health issues, they probably need either AL or MC (if they are still mobile in any way).
"Skilled Nursing Facilities provide more complex medical care and rehabilitation while Long Term Care Facilities offer more permanent support for day-to-day needs. In some instances, both types of institutions are combined to provide the most comprehensive level of care."
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My Mom was 24/7 care because of Dementia and I had no problem placing her. Her only health problem was high B/P. There were a lot of residents just like Mom. Some in wheelchairs. There were bedridden ones too.
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This ordering usually is done when patient is in hospital care and discharge from acute care is imminent. That means that your elder has taken a fall or become ill in some way, and no longer needs acute hospitalization, but DOES still need skilled nursing support beyond what PT and OT rehabs supply. This may be dressing changes or the continuing administration of IV antibiotic or a host of other things.
Where is your elder living now, or is she hospitalized?
Are you in contact with Discharge Planning or Social Services?
What acute nursing care is required?
Have you discussed this with her doctor?
My best to you.
I then went to the NH with these two documents to put in her records for their "waiting list" only to have the director of admissions tell me that they do not accept people directly from the community. Placement is done through the hospital.
This is how it goes in NY, not sure how it is where you are. We had to wait until my mother had a medical problem and was admitted to the hospital to get her into the the facility.
Usually the facility interviews people to assess what level of care they need (like AL, MC). A doctor needs to assess someone for LTC (which is covered by Medicaid).
Your profile says your LO has dementia. So unless they have more profound health issues, they probably need either AL or MC (if they are still mobile in any way).
"Skilled Nursing Facilities provide more complex medical care and rehabilitation while Long Term Care Facilities offer more permanent support for day-to-day needs. In some instances, both types of institutions are combined to provide the most comprehensive level of care."
Source: https://www.sierracare.com/long-term-care-facility-vs-skilled-nursing-facility/#:~:text=As%20discussed%20earlier%2C%20Skilled%20Nursing,most%20comprehensive%20level%20of%20care.