Globe Syndicate
For
release
The
by Carol Abaya, M.A.
NURSING HOME RESIDENTS
RETAIN
ALL PERSONAL AND LEGAL RIGHTS
Question: My father, 88,
has been in a nursing home for the past year, and his money is running
out. We’ve heard horror stories about
patients being thrown out of nursing homes or receiving little care. My father is getting agitated and
fearful. I don’t know how to calm him
down or what to do.
Answer: There are various
government programs to pay for nursing home care if the resident cannot. These include veterans’ benefits, Medicaid
and General Assistance. If a nursing
home is Medicaid-certified, it cannot evict a resident because his or her own
money has run out. In most states,
nursing homes are required to help the resident and family file for Medicaid or
another assistance program. SNF staff
rarely knows whether or not a resident is on Medicaid, so care should not
suffer.
Question: My mother, 78,
can no longer care for my bedridden father, 85.
We may have to put him in a nursing home. My mother is upset because she’s heard that
patients are treated like prisoners and have no rights. Is this true?
Answer: SNF residents have the
same rights as they had when they lived in their own home or apartment. Nursing home contracts usually (and should by
law) contain clauses which protect a patient’s rights. These protections include such things as the
right to privacy, to manage one’s own finances, to have unrestricted
visitation, to present complaints without fear or reprisal, to equal access to
quality care without regard to source of payment, to a written care plan, and a
free choice of one’s physician.
Question: My mother, 60,
worked for 20 years for a medium-sized company until she had a stroke six
months ago. Now she can’t work, and her
health insurance will run out soon. Our
family does not have the money to pay for her care, much less everyday
bills. Where can we find help?
Answer: If your mother was paying
for social security, she may be entitled to Social Security Disability
benefits, which pays a monthly sum, and also for Medicaid medical
insurance. She does not have to be 62 to
qualify. It generally takes several
months and perseverance to get this help set up, but it is well worth the
hassles.
Question: My father, 59,
has just been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
He’s confused and wanders around the neighborhood. Needless to say, he can no longer work. My mother is exhausted from her own work and
losing sleep.
Answer: Your father may be
eligible for Social Security Disability benefits. This money can be used for help to care for
your father while your mother is at work or at night so your mother can
sleep. Or your father can go to an adult
day care center during the day.
There are various gadgets which will set off an alarm if your father leaves the house at night. Knowing the alarm will alert her, your mother should be better able to sleep.
Are you juggling doing errands for your aging parents, your children, yourself and working at the same time? Are you tired, stressed out and upset that your once vibrant parent is now frail and needy?
Do you feel alone? Rest assured you are not alone! The Sandwich Generation is dedicated to the 50 million Americans who may have elder/parent care concerns and/or responsibilities.
* * *
Do
you have a question? Send it in. Although letters cannot be answered
individually, appropriate letters will be answered in this column whenever
possible. Letters may be edited. Send letters to Ms. Carol Abaya, mail direct
to her at
Carol Abaya is an international-award-winning journalist and creator of the unique magazine The Sandwich Generation: You & Your Aging Parents.
NOTES TO EDITORS: text = 565 words; other material = 160 words
We would appreciate it if you would include the "Globe Syndicate" bug at the end of the column.