Mom qualified for LTC finally, and I thought we were home free. Nope! Holy guacamole, the paperwork is a freaking nightmare! The case worker just sent me about two HUNDRED pages to be gone through, filled out, signed, returned, etc., etc., etc.!! It's mind boggling and totally overwhelming. Just found out that the memory care place we're taking her requires the doctor to fill out orders saying that she needs to be placed in care, and they ask about ALL the ADLs, etc. Honestly, her doc doesn't know the majority of this stuff! So I'm going to be sending her a very long, very detailed message over the portal, and hope that she'll read it and be willing to sign the orders.
As you can probably tell, this is a rant, but I'd love any encouraging anecdotes you might have. It just seems never ending!
It's overwhelming to get dropped into the medical system. Before going off on a Dickensian (looong) rant, explanation to a probably overworked, underpaid health care professional, edit yourself down to barebone facts. Sure it might feel good to rant about your particular situation, but if the person you're unloading on is hearing the 15th such rant in one day, you could be tuned out. Try qualifying your situation. "I feel overwhelmed by this". Then state the biggest issue-"I need help with loved one's personal care" or "how do I do _______?" This is a good forum to rant on, there's always someone who has something to add to just about any posting here. Let us know how you're doing.
I wasn't very clear, but the long message is going to Mom's doctor, explaining how she's failing at her ADLs and AIDLs so that the doctor will be able to fill out the paperwork that the memory care facility is requiring her to do.
I'm not ranting to anyone but you all, lol!
No one would willingly struggle through the necessary mountains of forms and meetings to force someone into a facility - unless they absolutely needed to be there.
What is all the paperwork? Is this for Medicaid LTC? In the two states I have lived, managing my husband's LTC, a case manager or care coordinator meets with us in person, in our home, asks a lot of questions, and completes paperwork, which I later get a copy of. It is many pages. And seems redundant. It is a "Care Plan", which can provide vital information to a memory care facility, but is probably too lengthy to be practically useful.
I know it seems like a lot, but take the time to get all the details right now, so her care can be managed effectively.
Any care facility will likely have periodic meetings scheduled with the family and care team, where you can discuss ongoing issues and specifics in regard to how she is responding to the current treatment. If they don't contact you to schedule this, ask the social worker, director or nurse in charge to set up a meeting.
In my mom's case the paperwork for the doctor to sign is a standard form in California and the doctor didn't fill it out, I filled it out answering all the questions about ADL's and submitted it for the doctor to sign. Maybe yours is the same?
Also super important… NEVER sign as just your name. Always sign as “Mom’s name, by your name as Power of Attorney.” ( Always seek advice from and elder attorney of course).