My uncle is 64, he was deemed disabled by the state over 25 years ago. He has no serious medical conditions and no cognitive disorders, however, he keeps having minor falls. He had a fall in April and was sent to a rehab center for PT, but after a few days medicare said they would not cover any more time in the nursing home, due to his age of 64.
He had another minor fall on Sunday and was sent to another rehab center, I am being told he is not eligible for any type of home healthcare due to his age and lack of a major diagnosis.
I do not have the means to have him move into my apartment, I don't know if he can still live alone with these falls, and I don't know what if any are my options. I do hold medical power of attorney.
I think you're putting the cart before the horse here.
Let the poor man live his life and if you want to do anything, how about calling him on the phone a few times a week to check on him?
And perhaps you can discuss what his options may be if and when the time comes when he does actually require more care, letting him know up front that he won't be living with you.
If never hurts to get our ducks in row before we need to use them.
Might I ask, if you know, what are the issues that are causing him to fall. I cannot imagine this in one so young without an underlying problem in the brain.
I am really sorry. I would, however, caution you against becoming either POA or taking him into your home. What I WOULD do is keep on APS, having them or the police or EMS at 911 coming to do senior at risk checks as often as he needs them. I am assuming he keeps a cell phone on him at all time due to the falling.
It is hard for me to even fathom what is going on here? It makes no sense at this young age and I am thinking there needs to be thorough testing by neurologist and psychiatric and there needs to be scans and MRIs.
I am so sorry. This is something that is going to need to be addressed, if at all, by the state with the power to do something here. You do not have that power. As you say, he is 64. He has at least 30 more years, three decade, to live. Once you take him into your home you make it his home as well. Is that truly what you intend to do with the rest of your own life?
As Alvadeer mentioned, if he is not what is termed, "medically necessary" for facility care he will be declined. In a way that is a win win for both. He doesn't need to be in a facility 24/7 and insurance saves a lot of money in not having to pay for his care
You can also see if your state has services that could help without being in a facility. Some states have this, since it tends to be cheaper then having 24/7 facility care.
Good luck.
I believe this is attention-seeking behavior, I have made it very clear it in not an option to live with me.
He gets SSI, he should be getting Medicaid automatically. He would then have a managed care plan. He can be assigned a care manager through his MCP.
The participating MCPs in Medicaid want to retain any members that are part of their group and will do almost anything to keep them. He would have to contact them to find out more information on a care manager.
I suspected as much. I could have predicted what you told us.
Here's my advice:
1. I would leave this to the doctors and to the system.
2. I would stay out of it other than to be loving and to not enable his behavior.
3. I would be careful to refer him always to the system with the numbers for APS and 911 on speed dial.
4. I would NEVER allow any social worker to get you to take responsibility.
Please consider Liz Scheier's good memoir Never Simple. She tried for decades to help her undiagnosed and mentally challenged mom function in the world. She was bright and capable and had the auspices of the entire city and state of New York to help. Yet it was all to no avail.
So sorry you’re having to cope with this on your own.
See answer to my questions below
I don't know what to do.
I have told the NH I feel like this whole episode is a manipulation tactic and I felt brushed off by them, I have left several messages for the social worker and nursing director to call me back to no avail.