My mom has been under hospice care for 6+ months now. I needed some 'time out' and decided to take advantage of the respite care program. When we were checking out the NH it seemed OK, clean,etc. but a bit Spartan. There were no beds available closer to home at the time she needed to go, even though I had given notice to the hospice authorities more than a months' notice. Mom had to be transported more than 35 miles from home (by ambulance) so they had her within a mile of their office.
I found out afterwards from both mom and her aide that the roommate she was assigned to was a man. Apparently his wife visited all hours, running in and out on all sorts of errands.
My mom has been a 'closet lesbian' all of her mature life and was deeply disturbed by this arrangement. She would be totally mortified if I had told the admin about her 'preference', so we said nothing. Is it considered normal to have mixed-sex roommates in a NH?
NH is clear and very cooperative. Also scored big points with us by invoking HIPPA regulations about disclosure. Good to know for sure. That doesn't mean that the SW at hospice is off the hook, tho.
Thanks to you guys for helping to straighten out the facts. I greatly appreciate it!
We have finally located a local attorney who is versed in elder law. I'll be speaking with him SOON (having to arrange for extra babysitter so I can go), as we have some prior issues to resolve.
Just got a payment notice from Medicare and insurance. It looks like the company has been paid increasing amounts each month for what little they do. We are averaging 12 monthly visits from the nurse and aide (total for both), plus a visit from the chaplain. The nurses take her blood pressure, pulse and sometimes temperature; ask a few questions about pain and bowels, then spend 10-20 minutes writing up a report. The aide DOES work her tail off. BUT...this justifies a $6,000.00 a month payment? I know that there is considerable overhead involved, but the care given (or not given) doesn't justify the money. I'm told that it is all legal. Glad it's not self-pay. I cringe thinking about what the 5 days in respite will be billed at!
My husband will be visiting with 2 other hospices at the end of this week. As soon as I get a substitute for the day, I'm off to San Antonio to see the folks at DADS (Department of Aging and Disability Services). My referral there said they could help with making official complaints. Yes, a major change is in order.
Thanks to all of you for your suggestions and support! Hugs!
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