I called my dads doctor today and told her all the things that are going on with my dad and said he needs skilled nursing care. So she put an order in for a social worker to come evaluate my dads home? WTH? What does this mean? Am I just upstream without a paddle here? What if anything can they do for me?
1. The caregiver that quit has been replaced with someone new im to meet tomorrow.
2. the social worker called and said "yes it sounds like he would need to be in assisted living as it doesn't sound safe at home any longer" he gave my number to a placement agency and they are looking for a place for him.
3. I went to look at a place that my brother was referred to by "A Place for MOM" ,, they want 7k for memory care private quarters .. hmm ,, but I learned what you had mentioned that he needs to be examined by a neurologist to see if he has dementia or Alzheimer's.
4. Got the Social worker to contact doctor and we now have a request for the "Home Doctor Program" so he can be seen at home for consult. this makes me happy as he doesn't have to be jostled to much to get into a doctors office.
wow .. what a day ,, and I did this all from work ,, no I cannot care for him, my own husband passed away after Christmas last year and im putting 3 kids through college and live 90 minutes away.
Lots of answers to your question. I am proud of you for taking action and of your dr for responding so soon. From what you told us in your last post this should really help you determine the level of care your dad needs.
https://www.agingcare.com/search.aspx?searchterm=Social%20workers
As for asking about self-pay or Medicaid, the Social Worker may ask so that he/she can determine what Dad can afford, if it is proven he needs help at a skilled facility. If self-pay, for how long? If Dad's savings are limited, then he would need to apply for Medicaid.
Not all skilled nursing homes or even Assisted Living will take Medicaid. So you wouldn't want to move Dad into a self-pay place only, only to move him again to a place that takes Medicaid.