Thank you all for getting back to me..
The director of the nursing home told me my POA papers dont mean **** and hung up on me.
They took over my mother's funds and never called, emailed etc to ask me if it was ok to spend that money.
Yes mom has dementia, lewy bodies, Alzheimer's etc.
And is not in the right state of mind, she is just told to sign this and that.
I thought Medicaid paid for wheelchairs?
I'm to my wits end ...
God Bless
Have you considered hiring a lawyer and moving her? This sounds like a very hostile environment. My daughter has an in law in Texas whose present primary law practice is suing NH for aspects of neglect. He is quite successful and told my daughter if one wants positive action from a facility that is showing neglect or unfair behaviors then the threat to sue generally brings results.
I don't say this lightly. I think you have to feel that there is more wrong than anything positive about your mother's present situation. I hope you can arrive at a constructive solution.
https://www.agingcare.com/questions/im-durable-poa-for-my-mother-but-the-nursing-home-is-spending-her-money-without-my-permission-465591.htm?orderby=recent
Patches, you need to stay with your original post when replying. It gets confusing for us. If you haven't please read ur original post. Also, could you fill in your profile.
Did the NH get guardianship over Mom? Because even if Mom is on Medicaid, your POA should still be in effect. I think u need to contact your State Ombudsman to investigate what is going on. Or, contact the lawyer who wrote up the POA and ask if he could call and find out what is going on. It will cost u but u will have your answer.
Did you not understand when your Mom went into care that most of her assets would go to her care now?
I don't know about whether or not medicaid pays for wheelchairs. It is a question you can ask by checking out 1-800-medicare and checking with their medicaid for your State; they can answer some questions you may have for you.
I understand this is your second question. You can ask to speak to ombudsman who will perhaps more thoroughly explain to you where you are at, because if a Nursing Home is using profanity on the phone with you, it sounds like you aren't getting far with hoping to understand what is going on.
I would also remain very NON adversarial with them. Any time things go South with communication and one side sees themselves as having full power and control (which it sounds as though they DO) you will simply be hung up on if there is any squabbling.
If you will keep your questions to one post that will help, as well, as JoAnn says, to keep things less confusing.
Wishing you good luck. Do consider filling in your profile to tell us about you and Mom and what has happened.
Social Security does not accept POA, but does assign their pick of who is "Representative Payee" for a beneficiary.
The beneficiary does not have to be incompetent, just have a condition that makes it challenging for a person to handle their own finances.
When a wheelchair was needed, the doctor ordered it.
Medicare paid for it (it was a rental).
Under the DME (Durable Medical Equipment) benefit of many health insurance(s).
Notify your doctor's office if one is needed.
Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers medically necessary DME if your doctor prescribes it for use in your home.
If one has Medicaid, that includes MEDICARE benefits
DME that Medicare covers includes, but isn't limited to:
Blood sugar meters
Blood sugar test strips
Canes
Commode chairs
Continuous passive motion devices
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) devices
Crutches
Hospital beds
Home infusion services
Infusion pumps & supplies
Lancet devices & lancets
Nebulizers & nebulizer medications
Oxygen equipment & accessories
Patient lifts
Pressure-reducing support surfaces
Suction pumps
Traction equipment
Walkers
Wheelchairs & scooters
Info taken from a Medicare website
Note:
Your provider must be enrolled in Medicare/Medicaid and accept assignment.
I am thinking this means the NH and the doctor(s) used.