Social Services/Medicaid information

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Amy1965

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I’m in need of information, advice, direction.

A family member was shot, caught in a cross-fire and is now paralyzed from the chest down. He is completely innocent from the cause of his injuries. He was just at the wrong place at the wrong time. All things considered, he seems to be doing okay, but he has no local family, no wife, kids or real friends. Additionally, he has no health insurance. He’s currently in a Nursing facility that accepted him, pending Medicaid (He hasn’t officially been approved by Medicaid)

He’s about 10 hours from any of his siblings, the only family he has that could take care of him. My family haven’t spoken or seen him for 25 years, prior to this incident, (He decided to leave home one day - he has already graduated from HS at that point. Other than intermittent phone calls to my Mom, he’s never made contact with any of us)

None of us are wealthy. Most of us have jobs and family of our own and would not be able to quit to take care of him. Not to mention, other than the siblings, prior to this incident, no one has ever met him.

The other family member that is retired has been very hands off regarding this matter.

We cannot bring him into another State where we are since we are fearful that he would lose Medicaid and other State benefits. Additionally, the frequent trips we have been making have been difficult. It’s very expensive and also time away from work and family.

I was hoping to hear from someone that knows of a service that can provide us a plan or knowledgeable of services that could be availalbe, especially if we can place him closer to us.
 
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He should contact a social worker. You probably would have to have a family member do the moving, almost no orgniztion that I know will transport across interstate line.

How old is he? While being paralized from the chest down is a huge-life changing event rehibilitation and work is likely still possible.
 
He’s 56 years old.

His injuries are such that there are no cases out where regaining the use of his legs have been successful, maybe his arms. But with the facility he’s in and no family members encouraging him, forcing him, It would be really difficult to regain both the full use of his arms.

The social worker we know of is an advocate for the hospital or the Nursing facility, He’s a recipient of Medicaid . . . .
Where do I obtain a Social Worker?
 
Amy1965 said:
He’s 56 years old.

His injuries are such that there are no cases out where regaining the use of his legs have been successful, maybe his arms. But with the facility he’s in and no family members encouraging him, forcing him, It would be really difficult to regain both the full use of his arms.

The social worker we know of is an advocate for the hospital or the Nursing facility, He’s a recipient of Medicaid . . . .
Where do I obtain a Social Worker?
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One should have visited him at the hospital, and then at the nursing home, he should have had at least a visit, too.

Does he want to move? This is a huge factor. If he does, then finding a facility and getting the transfer in order (with Medicaid approval) would go much smoother.
 
Virtually his whole family was there and drove 10 hours within 24 hours of the incident. We’ve since staggered the visits.

A facility will not take him until Medicaid officially approves him in our State. I think he’s willing to move.

(We also learned that he was pretty much living from one shelter to another… My father did attempt to find him, but he died before his first contact with my mom. My mom is more of a submissive type, and one that is not a leader. I was still in HS when he left. My siblings were thinking, looking back, he probably was suffering from autism.)
 
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I’m glad you were there for him. However, I’m going to ask again–what does he want? Given his back ground it seems unlikely that he wants to be close to family even if it would be good for him.
 
What he wants . … He wants to go back to the Shelter he was staying.

Obviously they can’t take care of him.

He’s not making any sense. He’s also refused many of the critical services that the facility was providing, including the Nurse taking his vitals, receiving critical meds, including blood thinners. His life is in danger. Yet he claims he can heal naturally.

(He was readmited to the hospital after discharged to the facility for blood clot in his liver)
 
In this case, I think you really need the involvement of professionals on a face to face basis. Moving him against his will is both foolish and dangerous unless you or a family member has him declared incompetent and given power of attorney. That may get you legal rights over his care.

This isn’t a case of a mentally well man who would like to relocate with his family. This is someone who is very set on not receiving the help he needs. Given the situation, you describe you may be able to find doctors, psycologists and social workers who agree he’s not well enough to care for or make decisions for himself. Even then, you need to work with them because moving him may still prove not to be in his best interests despite your view that it would be.

I don’t think you have much of a choice in anything unless he isn’t allowed to make his own decisions.
 
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The relevant social services agencies have different name in different parts of the country. In my state, it’s “Division of Family Services”.

They can be helpful, for sure. But all nursing homes have their own social workers who thread people through the process. I would find a nursing home near where the relatives live, talk to the social worker there and see what they can do for him. Probably they can solve everything needed.
 
I would start by contacting a family law attorney, preferably someone licensed in both states (otherwise, one in your home state; he’ll be able to get a co-counsel in your relative’s state). The attorney can help you understand your rights and options.
 
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