Hospital Bio

Unfortunately, many families are forced to quickly make decisions that are difficult to make under the best of circumstances. Medical emergencies and long stays in hospitals may quickly weaken a loved one, and you may find yourself making decisions for a person who has far different needs than they did only a short time ago. Your hospital will have an individual called a discharge planner or care coordinator who will work with you on a service plan or placement of your loved one based on the availability of space and the level of need your loved one demonstrates.

Because of the way Medicare reimbursements work, the hospital stops receiving payment as soon as the doctor clears a patient to leave. From the hospital's point of view, therefore, it's important to develop a plan quickly in order to clear their bed for another paying patient.

Your priority is very different, however: to find quality care for your loved one. Trying to understand where everyone is coming from will give you the information you need to maneuver through the situation with as little stress as possible.

If you haven't had time to investigate long-term care options, you have some catching up to do. Enlist the help and advice of friends who've been in your shoes to help you gain information about available resources. Ask your church or synagogue for help.

As well, your Area Agency on Aging is a good source of general information. Your loved one's physician may have a recommendation. Remember, also, that you can make short-term arrangements, especially during a crisis situation, while you investigate your long-term solution.