We were on track. Then the social worker from the insurance company entered the picture. While making all those accusations against me she also claimed that the first social worker didn't know how to do her job s o she took over the process for respite care. She decided that my mom needed to be in a certain facility in spite of the fact that the facility was not in the network. She then went on vacation. The original social worker decided to check on things and realized that the process wasn't completed so she got the required paperwork from the doctor and submitted it. She didn't think that the facility that was not in the network would work out so she called around to see if anyone had any beds. It was now less than 2 weeks before our departure date. Since it was so late she couldn't find an open bed.
The new social worker comes back from vacation and calls me. She tells me that she had it handled and that the original social worker was just wasting her time. I asked questions and was told that she was still working on it but that it would go through. This was a week out.
This week I started to get worried. Monday I couldn't reach anyone because it was a holiday. Tuesday I finally reach the second social worker and am told that it was approved by the Vice President and they are waiting on a billing issue. I asked about transportation because it had to be requested 72 hours in advance. I was getting worried.
Wednesday the original sw called me and said that there was a problem. She was calling for the second social worker because she didn't want to call me. They wouldn't get it finished until Friday and we were set to leave at 6 am. She asked if a full time nurse would be ok just until they finished the paperwork. I said ok.
Then I hear nothing else.
Thursday morning I started calling around. I couldn't reach either social worker. This was my day for packing, getting everything finished for the trip. Instead it was a day full of stress. I found a bed at a local nursing home that I would have to pay for. I also couldn't get transportation since it was too late. The cost of this was not budgeted so would come from our vacation funds leaving us with very little money. Thankfully our hotel and cruise were paid for.
I finally got the second social worker to answer the phone. She wouldn't talk to me, she said that her manager would be calling me in 30 minutes. By 3 I hadn't heard from the manager so I called her, she was brief and said that she had given her the wrong number and she would call me shortly. I called the insurance company and was able to get the managers number and name and called her myself. She wasn't about to call me. She did know about the problem and was trying to fix it. She had all kinds of excuses for her social worker. However, the fact remains that if she had stayed out of it I would have had respite in place. I also told her that I did not ever want to see that social worker at my home again. I then went into great detail about all the issues that I have had with her. When I get back I plan on writing a written complaint. At some point I was totally stressing and crying and I may have even hung up the phone on her because she kept making excuses.
I posted on Facebook and had someone come forward that I trust that would come to my house and help. It would cost me half the cost of a home, I wouldn't have to worry about how to transport my mom and she could stay in her room (which makes her happier). She came to the house Thursday evening and she met my mom and discussed what she needed to do.
Finally at 4:30 on the afternoon before we were to leave the original social worker called me. They couldn't get anything authorized and were trying to find people to come in and cover my moms care. Strangers to come in, I wouldn't have an opportunity to meet them neither would my mom. I would have to believe that they would actually show up and know what to do. I would have to trust that they wouldn't take advantage of the situation or steal from us. That is just not going to work for me. There is a difference between a few hours of coverage and more than a week.
There was a point when I thought that it would just be easier to put her in a nursing home. Caregiving can be stressful and the supports are just not there for the caregivers. By Thursday afternoon I was about ready to quit. I am so thankful for friends who stepped forward. We will not be reimbursed the cost which means we just won't do some excursions and such on our trip.
In spite of yesterdays challenges we are here in Florida. Tomorrow we will get on the ship. I have no idea what I have forgotten to pack as I was doing that at 2 am this morning.
