My father had a massive stroke that caused him not to speak and have mental issues. I have Conservatorship over him and after his hospital stay from the stroke he was admitted to rehab. The rehab had wanted to transfer him to nursing home care but I thought I could take care of him. I was wrong. He needs way more help then I can give him. I wasn’t aware he had mental issues until last month. He’s put feces on my wall, floor, etc.. He plays with it. He uses the bathroom on himself. He can take short walking distance. He can’t talk. His right hand is really weak and doesn’t really use it. He exposes himself naked to my children and gets agitated. He was hospitalized in October for pneumonia and fluid around his heart. He was hospitalized in November for colon infection and fluid around his heart again. I explained to his caseworker he needed long term care because I’m not able to take care of him. Plus his doctor ordered him to go to skilled rehab from the hospital. Is what was discussed. Now His case manager waits a week later to tell me he was denied skilled rehab from his insurance (Medicaid). She said he can get in-home care but he doesn’t have a home. He temporarily lives with me and I can’t bring him back to my home. I’m not understanding because my father can’t do anything for himself at least that’s what he acts like. He doesn’t even think to take a bath unless you tell him to. His doctor said he has early stage of dementia and that’s why he’s been acted the way he’s been acting. I don’t feel like he’s safe at my home. It’s only a matter of time he gets agitated and go in the kitchen and mess with my oven or walk outside and try to leave. He needs 24 hour care that I can’t give. I have to go back to work and I have young babies. She said once he’s ready to be discharged if I don’t get him I can be charged with abandonment. What are my options if the doctor is saying he needs long term care?
Go to her supervisor and explain whats what’s going on. Your father cannot come to your home. It’s not safe for any of you, especially your children. You are not medically trained to deal with his physical and mental issues. The Case Manager or her supervisor needs to find a facility that accepts Medicaid for him. Explain in no uncertain terms that if they don’t cooperate you will be contacting Adult Protective Services.
a conservator of an adult is legally responsible for providing supervision, protection and assistance. It her legal duty to make sure her dad has proper care. So yes, the social worker is right. Elder abandonment in this country and the state of TN is when a person who has assumed responsibility for an elder deserts that individual. The OP needs to get her dad in to a nursing home. It’s her responsibility. Conservatorship in this country is something you obtain through the court and it is no joke. She is legally responsible for her dad.
Go to her supervisor and explain whats what’s going on. Your father cannot come to your home. It’s not safe for any of you, especially your children. You are not medically trained to deal with his physical and mental issues. The Case Manager or her supervisor needs to find a facility that accepts Medicaid for him. Explain in no uncertain terms that if they don’t cooperate you will be contacting Adult Protective Services.
You have vulnerable children in the house and he is a danger to them. Your home is not a safe discharge plan, period. Repeat as needed.
I would put a letter together that has the doctors recommendations for long term care, that you can not safely care for him in your home and that he is a threat to your children's wellbeing and say that you have been threatened by the social worker and you will not be taking him into your home and that you will hold the hospital and social worker responsible for releasing him against doctors orders. Give a copy to everyone involved in his care, to the social worker and their supervisor and maybe their supervisor.
You don't have to take him back into your home.
Let us know how the transition goes.
Two things to keep in your mind:
"I explained to his caseworker he needed long term care because I’m not able to take care of him."
Don't back down -- you cannot take care of him.
"She said he can get in-home care."
That won't be enough -- it is NOT 24/7 care!
It's easiest for these caseworkers if the family assumed responsibility for the elder. Remember this -- do NOT accept any "temporary" placement back to your home as they "work to find someplace." Temporary becomes permanent. You will be stuck.
I hate when people use God to hurt people. I am a believer but I feel atheists who are good moral people are better than hypocrites. Even Jesus Christ despised hypocrites.
I don’t think any less of non believers. If my only example of a Christian would be my my brother and those like him I would never be a believer. Fortunately, there are wonderful Christians who don’t behave anything like my brother.
Sorry for the rant. Having a very bad day. Went for my check up at the doctor and she ordered more lab work. Grrrrrr. I took such good care of my mom that I suffer emotionally and physically.
I am paying a hefty price for sacrificing everything for a woman that turned on me like a snake along with my brothers. Honestly, no amount of money is worth it!
I would be asking how you get him placed as conservator if you can be held responsible as tacy22 indicates then you have the authority to place him.
I would also be finding out how to get out of being his conservator if you can't get any help to get him placed in care.