Neurologist Necessary Or Not..

The4thOne

I've been helping a friend visit and interview ALF's for her parents. Long story short they were not ‘getting’ bad, it was a lot worse than weekly telephone calls revealed. Mom and Dad had not been to their doctors in  at least 2 years. Mom has active sun-downing; Dad was diagnosed with the onset of dementia 4 years ago for their father, which they did not know about.   There are a billion tentacles to this story, but my ‘hmmmm moment’ is of 8 ALF’s, only 1 said they ‘would like’ a neurological reference or neurological determination, when questioned.  They just wanted a PCP to complete their form, didn’t matter if that PCP had recently or ever examined them. I know states have different laws, but a neurological determination, and PCP’s referral were needed to move my Mom into a facility.  It just seems that it would make sense to me, that neurological sign-off be required for a neurological disorder.  Is it me?  I’m curious to hear what medical documentation was necessary for you to place your LO in assisted living and/or memory care?

Iris L.

Due to Covid, their census is down, and they are ready to take anyone who can pay.  

Be aware of the distinction between assisted living, which is for the mobility challenged but cognitively okay, and memory care facility, which is for persons who need actual supervision and real assistance and guidance.

Iris L.

towhee

It is determined by the fact that help is needed with activities of daily living, and how much help, not so much about the root cause that the help is needed. The facility just wants to know that the doctor thinks that their level of care will be high enough. Facilities will not keep someone when they do not have the set up to care for them. It is important for family to understand what care each facility offers and to be honest with the facilities about the care their parent requires. Sometimes the family has more information than the doctor and you do not want to be in the position of having to find another facility for someone in less than a month.

harshedbuzz

IME, we only had to provide the form completed by dad's PCP to the place where dad was accepted. He was denied residency at one place that "cherry picks" based on one of his forms of dementia as reported by my mom on the application; they did an in-home interview during which dad was terrific and later explained they had concerns about "behaviors" sometimes associated with that diagnosis. 

That said, I have to agree with the others that a hospitality model ALF is likely to be a disaster for this couple unless it is specifically a high acuity "assisted living for memory care". 

Sometimes facilities that offer both options, will agree to accept PWD as residents in AL with a plan to move them to MC at the first issue that demonstrates their need for a higher level of care.

HB