I female relative had a stroke and seems to be partially if not fully paralized on one side. Currently she is in some type of nursing home --- at a cost of $8000 per month. She would like to move back home ---- but she needs some type of 24/7 caregivers. She also needs, I believe, some type of therapy for her left arm and leg ...... to try to perhaps keep them mobile. Currently she is not getting any therapy. Is there any hope or help out there ????
2006-10-09 14:43:35 · 4 answers · asked by burlingtony 2 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Other - Diseases
In the state where I live, the hospital where the relative was first treated should have had a social worker assigned. you should find that person and ask them how to go about getting proper therapy and home care. I had a relative with MS. She was able to get lots of help at home, (but not 24/7) and therapy of various sorts as she needed it.
I have not had anyone in a nursing home for years, but I do not know of any that seem to have adequate resources to get good therapy.
There are also personal care homes, which can be nice. You have to check out what's in an area and what funding this relative has available. This would be a possiblity if she can't get inot her home right away. It is more private than a nursing home, more home-like and better food.
Most areas do have private nursing services or visiting nurses offices. In my experience it varies by state, but it may vary by county, I really am not sure. I just know that with some research and sometimes some arguing, you can get what you need for almost anyone.
We had a good experience with Beehive Homes in our area (western Montana).
Just don't give up, maybe for an afternoon, but there are better services available for stroke victims and all kinds of patients needing home care all the time, not just the care but transportation to doctor visits and all sorts of things.
You could try to find a branch of the American Stroke Association where the relative's home is:
http://www.strokeassociation.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=1200037
I think a social worker is the best bet for finding services and know who's good at what, etc.
2006-10-09 15:55:43 · answer #1 · answered by Susan M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, of course there is! This relative will need to have a family member move into her home for a while to make sure everything is set up, but that could be temporary. Get the doctor to order home heath care through a good agency. They can get a nurse to check her for an hour a few times a week, a physical therapist to come into her home and a home health aid to bathe her and social worker to make referrals and see if she is eligible for medicaid (which would provide an aide for up to 8 hours, and other services such as meals on wheels, lending closets, home visiting MDs etc.
There are also companies that you can hire a private aide or companion to assist her. Depending on the cost (which varies according on where your relative lives) you could get 24 hour care, though it may cost as much as a Nursing Home. She can't be left alone unless she can get to the bathroom and take care of her own needs safely.
Once you take her out of the nursing home it will be more difficult to get her back in if being at home doesn't work out. You would need to get something called a "PRI" done and then apply to nursing homes on your own. The PRI costs $ ($100-200 in NY) and medicare doesn't cover it.
You are talking about a tremendous undertaking. It can be done, not easily, but if she has enough relitives and friends to rotate in to help her it may be possible. You could also check in with agencies for the cost of a live in aide, but you'd need to set this up before she got home and it might take time. I don't know the cost, but I don't think its more than $2000/week which is what you are paying now.
Goodluck.
2006-10-09 22:06:12 · answer #2 · answered by sandra j 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like you need a case worker. I don't mean for that to sound bad. Some people associate social workers with abuse. This is not the case though. The nurse at the hospital should have assessed that this lady needed some assistance outside of the hospital and set her up with a social worker. Since this did not happen, maybe you can call your health department and request one. A social worker can set her up with financing and other agencies that provide in home health care. Also there are programs like meals on wheels and all kinds of things out there.
2006-10-09 21:50:05 · answer #3 · answered by lisa l 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the nursing home social worker can help you find home health which is typically twice a day but they may be able to find home nurses too, they will do pretty much everything. they may cost more though, good luck
2006-10-09 21:46:32 · answer #4 · answered by HK3738 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋