Hello, new to the forum and need input. My mom is currently in a
Skilled nursing facility for physical therapy.
She was hospitalized 8 days for severe hyponatremia 3/15-3/22, then sent to rehab. On 3/26 during a therapy session, she got shaky, was sent back to the hospital. Spent another 7 days recovering from a UTI and 'hospital induced delirium'. Do nursing facilities have to inform family members of her plan of care or share progress reports? My sister & I have never voluntarily been informed about anything regarding mom's care. I visit daily, call her several times a day. Made several attempts to get information, but no luck. Her nurse verbally told me what meds she's taking & lab results, only after I asked 3 times. Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you
Are you your mom's health proxy and/or has she signed a HIPAA form allowing you to be privy to her health care information?
In several instances, my mom was informed of medical information while in rehab; she would forget to tell us or misunderstand what they were telling her.
This caused lots of anguish and misunderstanding between us and staff.
You mother has to give permission by signing forms saying that her medical information can be discussed with you.
I also had a stack of papers to review and sign when mom entered the NH for rehab.
Later, there will be meetings with the social worker and staff (PT and OT) to discuss progress.
Your situation is different due to your mom returning to the hospital.
Ask your mom if she filled out the necessary paperwork.
Best wishes to you and your family. I hope your mom starts to improve soon.
https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/privacy/guidance/access/index.html
In most facilities, the Director of Nursing (DON) is the queen bee of the facility. S/he and the facility Social Worker are the folks you get AND GIVE information to and from.
Talking to regular staff (the folks who do the front line care) is important but won't get you the official information.
A good care plan meeting will have the DON, SW, Unit Manager and therapists in attendence, some by phone. Come with a list of questions.
If you are interested in transitioning mom to long term care, now is the time to bring that up at the meeting.
HIPAA laws are very strict.
Make sure you are on each and every form as someone that they can give info to.
She should have a POA for medical and financial decisions if/when she can not make decisions for herself.
And without POA if it gets to the point where she can not make decisions for herself you or another family member might have to obtain Guardianship in order to make the necessary decisions. (unless she has a husband then he legally can make decisions for her both financial and health)
However, since Mom is competent, the facility doesn't always call me regarding what is happening with her. There has been 4 or 5 Directors in the 3 years she's lived there. I had great relationship with 2 of them and they kept me informed, knowing mom would forget to call me. The newest one hasn't been broken in yet - and since she isn't a nurse like the last three there is now another layer added.
However before my father died - he'd been moved to the the SNF where there were meetings every 90 days re his care. I again was the one called as I was his agent as well. Again, my brother, husband, mom and I were listed on who was able to get information. I was the one they called when he fell - which was weekly. SNF at the community my parents live in (mom is in AL) was not all that great and dad wouldn't have stayed there but for mom being able to visit him anytime she wished. If mom ever needs SNF it will not be at this one. The point is, make sure everyone the family wishes to get information is listed on the appropriate paperwork.
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