Elder care social worker/coordinator in Phoeniz, AZ area
March 10, 2024 7:55 PM   Subscribe

An elderly relative who lives in the Phoenix area is experiencing a health crisis and is currently hospitalized and will have an operation tomorrow. She has several health conditions and is likely to need rehab and other care. I'm hoping to find suggestions for an elder care social worker or coordinator who can help us figure out what resources are available and how to get what she needs.

For example, the doctors currently seem to be pushing the idea that this relative will go home after surgery, but pointing out that she will need extensive support when going home. The family thinks that in-patient rehab is likely a better choice, but isn't sure how best to push for this. We want to talk to someone who can help with this decision and many more that are likely in the near future.
posted by medusa to Health & Fitness (4 answers total) 1 user marked this as a favorite
 
Best answer: There should be a social worker assigned to her case at the hospital (sometimes called a discharge planner). Start with this person, being very very clear that the extensive support that the doctor is recommending is not available at home and ask for assistance in finding a better options. This should get her into rehab. Assume she has a Medicare, it will pay for up to 100 days of skilled nursing home/rehab care as long she hasn't used up the benefit already. (It resets if she can stay out of the hospital/skilled nursing for at least 60 days in a row). Once you get her into skilled nursing, they should have their social worker to help with discharge planning when she leaves.
This is very incremental, short term problem solving but at least it is free for the family.
posted by metahawk at 8:19 PM on March 10, 2024 [4 favorites]


Best answer: You might want to contact Jewish Family Services AZ. "JFCS strengthens the community by providing behavioral health, healthcare and social services to all ages, faiths and backgrounds." And if they can't help for some reason, I bet they are connected to providers who can do so. (I don't have experience with this branch of jfcs, but my experience with the organization in other locations has been stellar.)
posted by atomicstone at 8:19 PM on March 10, 2024


Best answer: the website is a little old timey, but here's the directory from the professional association for geriatric care managers that you can search by zip code.

good luck to your family.
posted by wowenthusiast at 8:33 PM on March 10, 2024


Best answer: When talking to the hospital, do NOT volunteer to do anything you are not comfortable doing. For instance, they may say, "We are sending X home and they will need family to step in and help with everyday tasks." The tendency of family is to say, "Okay." The hospital might very well base their whole discharge plan on that one word response from family. Instead, you should say, "We don't have someone who can do that. What other options are there?" You don't have to explain WHY you can't provide the level of support the hospital is looking for; it is enough that you firmly and consistently say you don't have someone who can do it. Based on my own past experience, this response is more likely to result in a referral to an inpatient rehab facility.
posted by eleslie at 5:05 AM on March 11, 2024 [5 favorites]


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