SIL is now a bilaterial amputee and has been in a rehab facility. They are due to be released in the near future and will return to an unsafe environment, IMO. I keep praying that the rehab facility will do a home inspection. Is this required by Medicare? Any information greatly appreciated!
Are you going to be responsible for her care?
If she is to be released to YOUR home you can say that you are unequipped to care for her and that your home would be an unsafe place.
If you are to be responsible for her care you use the same statement.
If she is to be released to HER home and you are not responsible then you really have little to say about it. If you are asked you can give your opinion. You can also contact the rehab and talk to the discharge planer and ask if an assessment will be done and you can express your concerns but if you are not POA or in any way responsible they do not have to inform you of the plans.
Issues - she cannot even get into her home without assistance because it is not a smooth transition from deck to front door. Very steep ramp that she is unable to navigate in wheelchair. 9 cats in the house which leads to a whole host of issues. Cannot get wheelchair through her bathroom door so will have to use the sliding board to attempt to access the bathroom/shower (not particularly adept at the board at this point. Carpets are threadbare and have worn spots, vinyl floor is chipped, crack and has pieces missing. A further incident waiting to happen. I am painfully aware I have no legal standing. That is why I've been hoping that the rehab facility would send someone over just to provide input as she might listen to them.
Certainly no such inspection is required under law. However, if you have access to Social Workers and can discuss this with them they may bring your concerns up at discharge planning discussions.
I think the thing you want to insure here is that you are being HELPFULLY concerned without interferring in what may be the perview of her own family? So I would start your discussions there. You don't want to be seen to be overstepping your bounds, I think?
She calls you to say "please pick me up from the hospital" you need to say "no".
If they send her home in a cab and she calls you to "rescue" her, you call 911 and have her returned to the hospital.
They sent a OT with him to do a full home inspection to ensure it was a safe discharge. They didn't send him home as planned after they saw that it would in fact be an unsafe discharge.
Do whatever you can but, remember, you are not responsible to prop up her bad choices. If she can not safely go home and you have told the rehab facility that it isn't safe and you ARE NOT her caregiver, then whatever happens if she is sent home is on her and them. If she calls you, you call 911 and send them to help her.
Unfortunately, we often have to step out and let a failure happen to get our loved one the help they need. If you need to do that, don't feel bad about it.
Call that social worker and make sure they understand what the situation is. Best of luck!
If the Rehab goes along with you, it will mean Sister being transitioned to LTC. If she can't afford private pay, then Medicaid with her SS and pension going towards her care. The State taking over her care if no family member willing to take over her care.