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My 83yr old dad (dementia and Parkinson’s) has been in the hospital for 5 days now after a setback. Before last week, he was stable, fairly mobile, able to eat, drink, etc. Mom is full time caregiver with the assistance of home health CNA 6 days a week. But he had a wisdom tooth pulled as a precaution, and given hydrocodone for pain management. A day later he had a catheter put in due to urine retention. Also was on day 12 of reduced Sinemet for some reason per the neurologist. All of this was the perfect storm and he declined rapidly, unable to walk or swallow! So now it’s been 5 days in the hospital with slow improvement. My concern is that the longer he stays in a hospitable bed with little to no PT, no consistent sleep, and poor nutrition, he will further decline. They won’t release him to a rehab facility until he shows ability to participate in physical therapy. If no rehab facility, I’m being told he’d have to go to skilled nursing home. I feel that if my Dad was getting adequate rest and nutrition, it’s possible his mental acuity and physical strength could return to where he was last week. The hospital system is just not staffed to give him the attention he needs. My question is, if financially feasible, could I have skilled nursing and physical therapy brought into his home? He has a long term health care policy, and has 100% VA disability. I’d do anything to keep him out of a facility. If anyone has thoughts on this, I’m all ears. Thanks!

The hospital will not send him to a rehab unless he can tolerate three hours of therapy daily and this doesn’t sound likely from what you’ve told us. Be aware that home therapy is quite limited too and the amount will be dictated by his insurance type. His CNA could be trained to help with his exercises.

Are they getting him out of bed and sitting up? To me that’s crucial if any progress is to be made. If it’s truly been less than a week since he was up and walking, there’s a better possibility of recovering some
mobility—has he been seen by a hospital neurologist to address his Parkinson’s meds?
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Call the LTC provider ASAP to find out if his policy covers this, you definitely have more chance of getting home care paid for with an LTC policy. See what it covers. Most policies have a 60 or so day "elimination period" where you have to private pay.


Docs may need to certify he cannot do a certain number of activities of daily living, bathing, dressing, toileting etc.

But what about his abilty to swallow, has that come back at all...?
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Cookster3 Dec 12, 2024
Policy does cover it. Ability to swallow is back. My concern is that the longer he languishes in a hospital bed, the weaker he gets physically and mentally. I’m wanting the hospital to release him to rehab. They try to get him to stand, but brain not sending the signals to get him to do so.
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If he has the money you can do whatever you want. You get it set up and inform the hospital you are taking him home with 24/7 help. His PCP can order in home PT. The aides are up to you.
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