Was the ROI a facility document or yours? Either should work, but sometimes facilities (mental health for sure) will only accept their ROI.

I recommend you have the client speak to the social worker and request that they cooperate with continued access to all records. She could even ask to resign the form and write in her specific direction with…[Read more]

Durable power of attorney is only about financial matters, such as bank accounts, assets, etc.? Are they blocking you with this b/c you are asking about Medicare coverage/client payments?

If you’re not controlling your client’s finances, then a HIPAA should work (I use the official state of TX HIPAA which has an option for my clients to release…[Read more]

I keep hearing this “not making progress” excuse as well.. I had one therapy director tell me-very confidently!- that Jimmo only applies to people who have Parkinson’s! There is such a need for education of SNF staff!
I recently called the Center for Medicare Advocacy for some advice and was told that they are still getting 5-7 calls a day about…[Read more]

Thanks for bringing up Lewy Body Dementia, Jen! My friend’s mom had Lewy Body Dementia (undiagnosed at the time) & got away from her caretaker at their home & called 911 as her husband was having an emergency.

My friend called me from work in a panic & had me race over to their home to let the first responders know that the husband having the…[Read more]

I agree with directing the client towards seeing her PCP. There could be an organic or metabolic condition that is driving the delusions that warrants investigation. My very good friend’s husband developed life altering delusions very suddenly last year. I suggested (as a friend, not their hired advocate) ruling out systemic and/or brain l…[Read more]

Karen,

We have advocated for many clients who have mental health illnesses–bipolar, treatment resistant depression, anxiety, PTSD, insomnia, addiction–to name a few.

Key to these relationships is a clear agreement on scope of services and trust. If the client does not want assistance with mental health, I suggest not going there. Stay in your…[Read more]

I think Trisha brings up an important point–it’s not for us to steer our clients to see certain specialists–we can suggest options that we think might be helpful, but many of our clients will only truly respond to a medical professional.

It is important, if possible, to establish good relationships with the Primary Care Providers in our…[Read more]

Thank you all for these suggestions, they are greatly appreciated!

Thank you all, I appreciate it!

This is difficult because she has the right to refuse to see anyone for her mental health until proven she lacks the capacity to do so. I agree with Trisha on reaching out to the primary care physician. You could also reach out to your local county mental health board for a list of community mental health providers that will accept her insurance.…[Read more]

Karen – Usually the best way to encourage someone to see a mental health provider is to enlist their primary to take care of it, and if possible, ask the primary to make a referral.

You can tell her you’d be happy to arrange an appt with her primary and even accompany her, make sure you have all your HIPAA signatures in place.

Then prior to…[Read more]

Hi Karen, Thanks for this question. We are here to support you and your practice but APHA’s policy is that these advocate requests are directed at members who meet the requirements to be listed in the directory. Please get in touch (membersvc@aphadvocate.org) so we can see how we might support you getting into the directory! –Deb

Hi Karen,
Yes, the patients in need list is limited to members of the ADL+. Don’t worry, they will be there when you get your membership. I typically check the list once a month to see who I can assist.

Looking forward to working with you!
Nicole

Thanks, yes I agree except she doesn’t think she has any issues so getting her to agree to see someone is going to be a challenge 🙁

She needs a psychiatrist who will put her on the right medicine for starters and give her a proper diagnoses. Unfortunately, most psychiatrists and psychologists do not take insurance. You may want to get a list of these professionals who are covered under her policy .