My Uncle has been diagnosed with a brain tumor. He has impaired sight, he can't walk on his own, and he is currently in a rehab facility. The rehab is from the open biopsy and not from the treatment. His "Case Worker" is being very difficult, he's trying to push to get him released to my parents, but my parents are in no condition to care for him, they are both in there late 70's and are also no healthy. The case worker also says he is not eligible for Medicare, although after checking my self, I found he is within a few thousand dollars of the poverty limit, and therefor can pay that difference and receive Medicare. He's mot yet sure if he wants to receive treatment, because the doctors say it will not cure the cancer. What I am trying to find out is, what options does he have, if the rehab facility releases him, is there some kind of short term care facility that he might be eligible for. He does not currently have a home, (he has a trailer upstate that is un - livable) and as I said, my parents (one of whom also has cancer) simply are not able to care for him.
I really feel like the bureaucracy is failing, not only to caer for him, but to communicate the options we have as a family to balance our resources and capabilities with his.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Start the Medicaid application process. My husband's income was over the limit, but that just meant we had a monthly spend down -- kind of like a deductible each month. If the case worker isn't knowledgeable about the Medicaid qualifications he/she should refer you to someone else and not give out misleading information.
I'm sorry that the case worker isn't more helpful. That should be a good source of support for you. In the absence of support there I think I would call the Social Services department in your Uncle's county and ask for a needs assessment. In our case the worker who responded knew not only what was available in the county but was also familiar with state and federal programs and got me started down the right paths. I suspect in your uncle's case they would be looking at some kind of care center placement. Be very firm with everyone you talk to that he has no family he can live with.
My heart goes out to you. It is certainly traumatic enough to have a loved one with a terminal condition, and to have to deal with apparently uncaring bureaucracy on top of it is crushing. I tell you from experience that there are really good, caring professionals out there, too. I hope you find some of those kind very soon!