I have no idea what I'm doing so I'm trying to figure this out one step at a time. My mother recently fell and fractured her ankle and since then she has needed me to do everything for her including putting her on and off the toilet. After seeing the specialist she was given the ok to start walking but didn't give her any physical therapy. She doesn't have the strength to get up much less walk she has bad arthritis and had a bone density test done and we see her PCP soon and figured I would ask about PT and possibly a home caregiver as I work and can't be there to take care of her needs is this something that would be approved by her doctor and Medicaid?
There is no need for a referral.
I am surprised that PT was not ordered. I would think that that would help more than a caregiver.
Mom also would benefit from having the proper equipment that she needs to make her life easier and safer.
Properly sized walker
Possibly a riser for the toilet
Support frame to go over the toilet so she can get up more easily.
Talking to a PT would help getting mom back to pre fracture status.
This is something now to discuss with the MD and the basics you will need to let him know is just what you told us. A) Your mom is basically bed ridden now B) Neither she nor you have been given a clue how to help her regain mobility; she has had no physical therapy C) You work and cannot leave her alone in these present circumstances.
This really is a bit of an emergent situation. I assume she could not receive rehab care because she was not hospitalized, but just had her foot set as an outpatient. If there is no family to take on the hours you are at work then having someone with her is going to likely be more costly than you can afford. Time to get doctor and social workers on this so you can get supportive care while she heals.
Sorry you are going through this, but a further fall is going to result in some real problems I am afraid. Sadly, you may be looking at family leave act needs so discuss with your employer.
If she has a Medicare advantage they may supply an aide. Medicare Traditional will pay for PT/OT and an aide to come in 2 or 3x a week to bathe Mom. You could try to see if the aide can stay longer than the usual time of an hour. But this is only a temporary fix. Medicare does probide "intermittent" care but like it says, not a daily thing.
Medicaid has criteria that has to be met. Therebisca cap for assets and monthly income.
Your Mom is 72 (I am 74) and should be able to heal from this. Bone density is just to determine osteoporosis. Most woman have it. It will worsen with age. Its a menopause thing. We no longer make Estrogen. Taking Vit D3 may help but I would not take the shots. The one was shown to cause brittle bones. Meaning breaks if you fall.
Do not enable Mom and do not disable her. Even having arthritis its better to move. You working maybe a good thing because she will be forced to do for herself. Get her PCP to write up an order for in home physical therapy.
I too am shocked that she was sent home without PT, or rehab.
Since you ask about medicaid, I am going to assume she has medicaid already, or you plan to apply.
Bring this up with her PCP. And insist!
I would ask if she could get the doctor's referral to a Rehab facility. These are meant to be short-term, with intensive therapy to get patients back on their feet and independent enough to go home. A skilled Nursing Rehab will also provide cares such as toileting, meals, bathing, medications,... kind of like a hospital, but it's a transitional step from hospital to home.
Make a phone call to her Medicaid case manager and talk about her needs and what is covered. After she is transitioned to home, she may still need some home care, which medicaid will cover (depending on the needs of the patient).
Ask about Home Based Community Services.
Generally, Medicaid will pay for services in the home because it is much less costly than in a skilled nursing home.
If she has Medicare, (over 65 or disabled) you can call Medicare and see if they might cover a short term rehab stay as she heals from the fractured ankle.
Medicare only covers doctor and hospital necessities. Medicaid covers what Medicare doesn't - only for income eligible.