Personal Care Home or Skilled Nursing Facility? posted by Anonymous @ 11:44 PM October 28, 2008

Anonymous — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 23:44:32 -0000

Mocha, How do you know she had these strokes? I am in a similar situation and my mom is in a SNF (for rehab) I am not sure they are treating her well (medically) and I have seen some major ups and downs. They only draw blood once a week and her last EKG was showing Atrial Fib. Her PT and INR levels are also up and the Dr at the SNF was decreaing her Warfin levels (why???) he increased them only slightly. after this last test. Took him a week just to review the EKG.

Not sure where we go from here but things are bad enough wthout them getting worse.

Her PT was 13.3 now 27.2, Her INR was 1.1 now 2.3. When I asked today the Nurse said they scheduled a chest xray for Wednesday...

Personal Care Home or Skilled Nursing Facility? posted by Mocha @ 07:55 PM October 28, 2008

Mocha — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 19:55:29 -0000

Alot has happened since I posted this 5 months ago. My mother has experience 4 mini-strokes, and a fractured hip in this short time. We had no choice besides skilled nursing facility this time. My advise to all who have parents who are at a functioning level, keep them in a personal care home as long as they are able to stay. I am convinced that there is no skilled facility that I will be totally pleased with. My experience is the rehab is good and the nursing care is lacking or vise versa. Personal care homes are becoming a more popular alternative now that medicaid is supplementing the costs through waiver programs.

Personal Care Home or Skilled Nursing Facility? posted by Anonymous @ 07:38 AM October 24, 2008

Anonymous — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 07:38:45 -0000

I am trying to get my mildly dementia mother to a better facility but most places put all the people together with dementia and forgetfulness problems after a while . I think they are frustrated with them as the same feeling is with the clients, like my mother. I wish I had enough money to start a different kind of home like Houghton Nursing Care Facility--most are putting them in places just for safety--the thing about it is I think a ground level house sounds rather appropiate. Too bad,Mocha there isn't a place with care that you describe with activities--that would be ideal for my mother---also.

Personal Care Home or Skilled Nursing Facility? posted by Anonymous @ 07:38 AM October 24, 2008

Anonymous — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 07:38:45 -0000

Personal Care Home or Skilled Nursing Facility? posted by katrina @ 07:22 AM October 24, 2008

katrina — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 07:22:59 -0000

My mother is in Assisted Living in a Facility. It is large and she gets lost in the crowd.

I have been to two types of nursing homes-- one that just is the basic services you describe and this model Look for a small nursing home with one to one therapeutic recreational activities with a few group activites ones that are non threatening. Bingo may be threatening. Line Dancing with another caregiver in recreation may not be. On Luckey Drive in Houghton, NY there is a Houghton Nursing Home that may be able to assist you find a mainstream but individual approach. It is located near Houghton College,NY they might know of similar models in your area. Katrina

Personal Care Home or Skilled Nursing Facility? posted by Anonymous @ 05:10 AM October 23, 2008

Anonymous — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 05:10:13 -0000

Hi all, great thread.. thanks for the info. I am very interested in learning more about the "personal care home " that your parent was placed in. What state are you in? How did you find the place?

I am in illinois and am contimplating the same thing - My Mom had a stroke 2 months ago and I am trying to think of a way to get her out of the nursing home (for rehab) and get her back into her house with 24/7. Having someone(s) else to help share the costs would be helpful. Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

Personal Care Home or Skilled Nursing Facility? posted by LauraL @ 09:05 PM May 21, 2008

LauraL — Wed, 21 May 2008 21:05:51 -0000

Mocha, thanks for the updates and information. I would worry about her being upset by the restraints, too. **hugs**

Personal Care Home or Skilled Nursing Facility? posted by Mocha @ 10:26 PM May 18, 2008

Mocha — Sun, 18 May 2008 22:26:35 -0000

Response to Missy......Funny you mention that! Mom has a walker and her physical therapist has attempted to train her on how to use it. Unfortunately, she can not handle it well. Her perception seems off, and she just takes off fast into falls or whatever........It is more of a hazard than a help unless someone is right there with her to guide it.

Response to Laura...what they are calling a soft restraint looks like a tuxedo cumber bund' and goes around the waist and is tied to the back of a chair/bed etc..........She does get upset and has said she feels like a prisoner. It breaks my heart yet I know she can not be watched 24/7. The moment she is in a room alone she would jump up and ultimately fall and break a hip with her frail frame. I have come to understand that many hosptials and nursing facilities are using these or chemical restraints when patients are a risk like, Mom. I worry about her getting so upset from the restraints that she has an attack or something.

Personal Care Home or Skilled Nursing Facility? posted by LauraL @ 11:01 PM May 17, 2008

LauraL — Sat, 17 May 2008 23:01:27 -0000

Hi Mocha,

Thanks for the update; I'm sorry to hear of her being hospitalized again!

As for the jumping up to walk - what is a soft restraint? Would it scare her, make her feel like she's being tied down? Or would it be a clue to her to slow down?

Personal Care Home or Skilled Nursing Facility? posted by Missy @ 08:41 PM May 16, 2008

Missy — Fri, 16 May 2008 20:41:18 -0000

Hi Mocha,

Thanks for the update!

How receptive do you think your mom would be to a walker? If it is kept near her when she sits, do you think she'd instinctively grab onto it when she jumps up?

Personal Care Home or Skilled Nursing Facility? posted by Mocha @ 01:16 AM May 16, 2008

Mocha — Fri, 16 May 2008 01:16:59 -0000

I appreciate the advise I have not been on for a while because Mom was in the hospital. She had a "TIA". We found out she has 100% blocked artery.

Responding to Laura and Missy... Although there is not a medical professional on the premises. A visiting nurse comes twice a month as a part of this program, and I take my mother to her doctor appointments myself regularly. Her primary care docter has done many tests(thyroid,cancer, etc) and has no answers for the weight loss other than it is just a part of the disease. I am noticing that most doctors kind of write off the elderly in a way, and do not encourage looking for problems. I have actually been told things like , "if cancer was found, what could you really do at her age and condition".

I visit my mother 2-3 days a week. She will do a puzzle every now and then but her attention span is short. She likes to look at old photos and sing. Some personal care homes provide scheduled activities daily, and have several people on staff. Ours is lacking this although great in many other ways.

As far as estate recovery, if a person is in a nursing home, they will go after assets. If the home is over 50,000 or so. Luckily, we changed everything over years ago.

New dilemma...........mother has limited mobility and can not walk without assistance from the caregiver. The dementia causes her to forget she is unstable on her feet so she will just jump up on her own, which creates a serious fall risk. The caregiver has asked me about my feeling of using a soft restraint to prevent her from getting up alone...................

This is a toughy............safety or dignity!

Personal Care Home or Skilled Nursing Facility? posted by Missy @ 08:32 PM May 05, 2008

Missy — Mon, 05 May 2008 20:32:39 -0000

Hi Mocha,

Welcome to Caring's groups! I'm glad you posted.

One thing you may want to do is call a few facilities and find out what types of activities they provide for those with similar medical conditions. That may give you a better idea of what is possible for her. You may also want to talk to the caregiver about how well (or not) she's eating. Is there some favorite food she'd prefer? Is the caregiver willing to accomodate that? Does your mom's doctor have any idea why she continues to lose weight? I know these questions don't help with regard to their not being a medical professional at the home where she lives, but I wanted to throw them out there.

Matt, I wanted to talk about the notion of a long-term care facility coming after a person's assets. I'm curious to know the asset limits for Medicaid eligibility in your area. If wonder if your mom is able to own a house and still qualify, for example.

Personal Care Home or Skilled Nursing Facility? posted by LauraL @ 05:08 PM May 04, 2008

LauraL — Sun, 04 May 2008 17:08:05 -0000

Hi Mocha,

It does sound like a dilemma, and I understand your worries! I wonder, does your mother have a designated doctor? Could he or she help advise you in this, if perhaps they have an opinion on her care? Or possibly, maybe the doctor could make a house call to the home to check on her.

Also, have you checked with the caregiver on medical help? Is she opposed to it for some reason, or is it just something that wasn't communicated well during the transition to the home?

As for activities, I wonder if this is where family members become involved. I know you stated you were an only child; can you spend some time with your mother doing a few things a couple of times a week to help with that, or provide her something to do when you're not there? Did she knit or crochet, or do puzzles?

I'm thinking of you and hoping that the matter can be resolved in a way that can make you feel more comfortable. :)

~Laura

Personal Care Home or Skilled Nursing Facility? posted by RevYarb @ 10:29 PM May 02, 2008

RevYarb — Fri, 02 May 2008 22:29:00 -0000

Mocha,

Can you share with me (us) as much as you’re comfortable with; on how you got your mom into this facility? Is this an insurance covered care item, or totally your out of pocket expense? I’m often hearing that if I put her into a skilled facility that they begin to come after all assets. Can you please help in this area? If you aren’t comfortable sharing on the list please feel free to email me at RevYarb@sbcglobal.net

Thanks

- Matt

Personal Care Home or Skilled Nursing Facility? posted by Mocha @ 09:54 PM May 02, 2008

Mocha — Fri, 02 May 2008 21:54:31 -0000

Seven months ago, I placed my mother who is in the moderate-severe stages of altzheimers in a personal care home because I could not deal with the thought of her being in a "nursing" home. Unfortunately, I am an only child and keeping her with me was not an option The personal care home is a regular home in which clients live there and are cared for by the caregiver. This caregiver only has 3 clients in this beautiful home. Mt mother seems to be comfortable there for the most part. My mother's basic needs are taken care of. She receives assistance with things such as bathing, toileting, healthy meals, medicines dispensed...........the problems is there are no planned activities or programs to occcupy her time or stimulate her mind. Another concern is that there is no medical professional on the premises.Mom continues to lose weight despite the healthy meals.

I would like input on if nursing homes (exceptional ones) provide an alztheimers patient in the last stages with better attention medically and emotionally. Mom being in a "house" opposed to a "home" makes me feel better, but is it the best for her?

Are patients watched adequately in nursing homes?

Recent Posts in 'Personal Care Home or Skilled Nursing Facility? ' | Caring.com

Personal Care Home or Skilled Nursing Facility? posted by Anonymous @ 11:44 PM October 28, 2008

Personal Care Home or Skilled Nursing Facility? posted by Mocha @ 07:55 PM October 28, 2008

Personal Care Home or Skilled Nursing Facility? posted by Anonymous @ 07:38 AM October 24, 2008

Personal Care Home or Skilled Nursing Facility? posted by Anonymous @ 07:38 AM October 24, 2008

Personal Care Home or Skilled Nursing Facility? posted by katrina @ 07:22 AM October 24, 2008

Personal Care Home or Skilled Nursing Facility? posted by Anonymous @ 05:10 AM October 23, 2008

Personal Care Home or Skilled Nursing Facility? posted by LauraL @ 09:05 PM May 21, 2008

Personal Care Home or Skilled Nursing Facility? posted by Mocha @ 10:26 PM May 18, 2008

Personal Care Home or Skilled Nursing Facility? posted by LauraL @ 11:01 PM May 17, 2008

Personal Care Home or Skilled Nursing Facility? posted by Missy @ 08:41 PM May 16, 2008

Personal Care Home or Skilled Nursing Facility? posted by Mocha @ 01:16 AM May 16, 2008

Personal Care Home or Skilled Nursing Facility? posted by Missy @ 08:32 PM May 05, 2008

Personal Care Home or Skilled Nursing Facility? posted by LauraL @ 05:08 PM May 04, 2008

Personal Care Home or Skilled Nursing Facility? posted by RevYarb @ 10:29 PM May 02, 2008

Personal Care Home or Skilled Nursing Facility? posted by Mocha @ 09:54 PM May 02, 2008