Early onset, 64 yr old male, no other medical problems. We cant find placement because of his age, and minor behaviors. Its becoming increasingly difficult to care for him at home. Finally to the point that he would qualify for Medicaid, but seems like a long drawn out process, 4 to 6 weeks, and we need help now. currently in an ER under observation, and it seems the only possible route is to have him committed to a phsyc ward, which would be awful, he is not nuts, but in stage 5 dementia. Any suggestions would be helpful
The hospital will TELL the poa they can get into trouble. I think I'd ask a lawyer.
Before going into a facility, both the poa and facility neds to understand the financials. How did the poa understand the financial situation at the time of admission as a self pay patient? When my mom was being discharged from the hospital to NH, discharge planning talked to us in detail about how long mom needed to be able to self pay before she could be a medicaid patient at various facilities. Someplaces it was a year, someplaces it was three.
It sounds as though someone needs to take charge, find out from an eldercare attorney what poa can and cannot do.
they won't release him by himself. This is a tactic that is sort of the nuclear option. But it does work.
Won't they admit him to the hospital? "Under observation" has insurance implications for some.
What would prevent him from qualifying for Medicaid? Has that been explored?
Dementia is a disease of the brain. There are often behavioral manifestation (agitation, delusions, paranoia, depression) that can be ameliorated by meds. Give it a chance.
Angel