Respite(1)

CareBear81

It has been a struggle this past week to find respite care of my mom. The one time she went, the nursing staff neglected her severely chapped lips and a bunch of her clothes went missing (this is in Seguin). This week I called so many different places and none of them take medicare. Or they just don't call you back, which is rude. One facility said their mailbox was full. Seriously?? Called New Braunfels and NOBODY over there takes medicare. It's soooo frustrating. I just want her to go to a nice facility. She's entitled to. Her nurse was like "I think she should go here it's not bad," but it's in Seguin (we live here) and the places here just have a bad reputation. They have 3.8 stars out of 21 people. I guess it could be worse. Anywho, does anybody know of any facilities that are medicare approved for respite care in the Seguin, San Marcos, New Braunfels, San Antonio area? I'm literally just tired of being on the phone getting nowhere. AND I have a chemistry test to study for so I can't get too distracted.

Thanks ya'll ... 

[Deleted User]

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towhee

If she is in a Medicaid Community Alternatives Program (CAP) or PACE program it is barely possible that Medicaid might cover a short respite stay. If she is in a program like that she has a medicaid caseworker. Call the caseworker. The only thing Medicare covers is a rehab stay after 3 inpatient nights at a hospital. There are also non-profit organizations that cover short respite stays, check out the link Victoria gave you. Wish you luck-

CareBear81

She's Medicare only. Doesn't qualify for Medicaid. Facilities that I DID speak with were either Medicaid or private pay. I just want the best for her. They didn't really take good care of her the last time.

Ps: YES! Women in STEM ROCK! :oP

CareBear81

We even tried to get my parents to see if they would qualify for help. You know, someone come to the house or whatever that program is through Health and Human Services. They were told they make too much money (by $200). We NEED that help!

Cynbar

Is she on hospice? If so, they should arrange the respite and monitor her care while there. But if she is not on hospice, Medicare won't pay because it's not acute care.

CareBear81

Yes she’s on hospice but even hospice is ha I got a hard time finding a facility that will take Medicare.

Kath50

I also live in central Texas. Have you ever heard of care.com? The company runs a criminal background on all the people they hire and they can provide references as well. You set the price to pay per hour and the days or times y’all need a break. You would get to interview who you want to hire  as well.

Cynbar

CareBear, I'm not clear at all why your hospice is making you do the work. It is their  job to arrange respite and payment, the facility does not get paid directly from Medicare. Usually the social worker arranges this, every patient should have a social worker assigned even if you don't get regular visits. Call her or him and tell them you want to access the 5 day respite benefit.If you don't know who that person is, call the hospice office or ask your nurse. You did mention your mother has gone to respite before, many hospices have guidelines on how often you can use this benefit. And, the hospice nurse should go into the facility and monitor care while your mother is there. I don't think the facilities are telling you they don't take Medicare, I think they are saying that Medicare won't pay for a respite arranged by you independent of hospice. You are letting the hospice staff off the hook, they should be setting this up unless it's too soon for another respite.