What steps would you need to take in order to move an elder patient from one state to another?

Question

Currently, an elder patient lives in CA and needs to be moved to TX in an assisted living or geriatric home. She needs better care than the current relative can provide 24 hours a day. Another problem is the unwillingness of the siblings to cooperate and do what's best for the relative. Other relatives in TX are willing to provide more care and attention if the eldest relative lived closer, ie, the need for the transfer of resident care.

Answer 1

I am sorry that find yourself in this tough situation, yet this patient is fortunate to have you involved in helping them.

The first step is to find resources that might help you get the information you need. Mrs Z's advice is very good. It is also possible that rules concerning situations such as this vary from state to state--so talking to knowledgable experts about this situation in both states might be a good idea before moving too far too fast. Getting "buy in" from family members before making a decision, at some level would also be a good idea. Here are a few ideas for you.

If the patient you are trying to assist is age 60 or over, the first stop for information about this would be the local Area Agency on Aging serving the community in California where the patient lives and the community in Texas where re-location is being considered. These organizations are one of the 'best kept secrets" for older Americans and family caregivers. Staff there know how to listen to seniors and their family members and can provide guidance and advice about resources and possible solutions that may be of great help to you and/or possibly the current relative of the patient who is currently providing care. You can call 1-800-677-1116 toll free to find the phone number and other contact informaton of the Area Agency on Aging offices serving the locations in California and Texas.

When you call the Area Agency office, ask for the person who provides "Information and Assistance" or "Help for Family Caregivers." If you make this call, I am confident that you will find friendly and helpful people.

Area Agencies on Aging have specific services that help familes of older people and their caregivers--so ask about services that might be helpful in your situation. Most Area Agencies on Aging also have experts available or on staff who know about power of attorney questions. Many also have experts who can help families address care coordination issues.

If you call your local Area Agency on Aging and like the help that you receive, let your county elected officials know and tell your members of Congress. Area Agencies don't have big budgets--in fact appropriations for most services funded under the Older Americans Act have not increased significantly in 25 years! You will not be charged for the information you receive, however, any financial contribution you might make for the time and assistance devoted to your parents' situation would be very welcomed-- and would go toward helping more of your older friends and neighbors and their caregivers.

I truly hope this helps you, your family and the patient who is needing help. Best wishes and good luck!

Answer 2

Well, my dear we need to talk legal stuff here. Does she have a power of attorney? It's the legal document that states who should do what in case she becomes incapacitated or unable to care for herself. She needs to name someone as her power of attorney first. If you want that to be you, then go here and use this form. You'll need to copy it and paste it into Word, then print it out then fill in the blanks with ink. http://www.ilrg.com/forms/states/ca-powerofattorney.html

Get to the elder patient in CA and take her to a notary - most Mailboxes Etc-type stores have a notary on site, or look for a Notary Public in the yellow pages. You and the elder patient have to sign the Power of Attorney document in front of the notary and pay a small fee for for the notarization.

Once you get the person back to TX, you can go back to that website and make a new Power-of-Attorney form for TX, which will cancel out the California P-o-A.

The unwillingness of the siblings to cooperate is nothing new, and it doesn't mean squat legally. The person that is the power of attorney makes the rules! So get the power of attorney, show up with a plan to move this person to their new home and have your ducks in a row. We found that an unannounced visit worked very well, the money grubbers were stunned!

Be sure you get their medications, and medical coverage cards. Everything else, like medical records can be requested from TX by the "new" doctors.

We have done this exact thing, it was ugly and there are more family feuds now than ever. One of the dear sweet people that was caring for our relative sold her home out from under her and used the proceeds to build themselves a new custom home! People suck and the way the elderly are treated is a disgrace. Be careful and do what you can to make the transition as easy on the older person as you can.

If this person receives Social Security, call the SS office in your city and get an appointment to have their mailing address changed so their benefits checks keep coming. You might want to consider getting a bank account for this person with direct deposit for the SS checks or any other income they might receive. It keeps things simpler for those caring for them.

Best of luck to you. If you have questions talk to a skilled nursing facility about their programs. Lots of them have a Senior day program where the older folks go and do stuff with other older folks, have lunch and play bingo. It's great for them and gives the care givers a much needed break!!

Best of luck to you!