My father is a ww11 veteran, he has phostate cancer, now it has moved all over his body, he is 89, the va, doctor, told us two days ago, he needed to be put in a nursing home, the doctor said , he can't take care of his self at home, and his mind is almost gone, he lives in a dirty house, and eats out of cans, he doesn't drink water, can't take his medicines by hisself , he refuses all help, from us, the doctor since we don't have power of attorney, or guardian ship, we ask if he could live at the VA, the doctor said , no, and the VA, won't pay to help with paying a nursing home, because the government had changed the rules, you can only get aid assistance from the VA, if you have a disability you received while in service. We went to Job and Family services to sign him up for Medicaid, he has Medicare, the case worker said he wasn't eligble, for Medicaid, he gets 970 from SS, and a VA pension of 320 per month, he owns nothing at all, he is on a section 8 housing, now today the social worker from the VA, called my sister to tell, her the doctor had called Adult Protection Services, where we live in ohio, and they will be arriving on this Friday, to take him away, for his own safety, My dad doesn't know this is happening on Friday to him, the VA social worker , said we do have two days before Friday, to place him are self, or Adult Protection Services will take him away. The Jobs and Family here in Jackson, Ohio, said Medicaid for all elderly will end very soon, she said it ends in August, for old people, He has not stayed 3 days in any hospital, Va or other, except in the 80's when he stayed at the VA, for a week. He refused to stay overnight at the VA 3 times this month when we took him to the VA , Chillocothe , ohio, he was seen this month by the ER, and a primary care doctor, who just happened to have the time to fit him in. What can we do to get Jobs and Family to give him Medicaid, or other programs that will help pay for a nursing home. We only have until, August 12th, to find a answer.
I do think the doctor who feels he needs a nursing home is wrong; with metastatic prostate cancer, he could be a candidate for hospice.
I certainly hope someone will offer some good suggestions; I can't really think of much to suggest except try to take control of the situation by contacting APS yourself and tell them you need help, and ask how they can help you and the family find a hospice placement for him.
You might also contact the doctor who reported him and ask him why he has recommended hospice, and ask that he do so. In the meantime, perhaps one of the family members can research hospices in the area.
This is really a tough situation; I feel for you - it must so frustrating to have a doctor who doesn't provide solutions but turns around and brings in APS.
I'm wondering if his oncologist would be of more help?