I'm sorry I haven't caught up with everyone lately but I am trying to deal with "everything". My husband is 100% service connected disabled and it has only been the last couple of years that we have used the VA. When I fell recently an needed dh to be care for, they placed him 1 hr away. He is well cared for. I called the 1 nursing home in our area that has a contract with the VA and they cannot accomodate him. I was not able to see him during the week last week and am very upset. He still knows who I am and I want to be able to see him everyday. The drive time makes this impossible. There is a nursing home 10 min from me that is willing to take him and can accomodate his needs and willing to contract with the VA. The problem is, the VA coordinator is unable (unwilling?) to make this contract. I explained my Dad has 2 newly discovered cancers and my Mom is in a nursing home because my Dad is not well enough to be her caregiver at this time. She was stubborn as a rock. I have called the direstor of the VA which, of course resulted in me leaving a message) and I have emailed my Congressman. Someone is getting me the number for the Veterns Advocate in Ct. Does anyone have any other info that I can use? I live in Ct.
E-mail Senator John McCain. Google him for his website. The website is set up to send him an e-mail. State what you have stated here. See if that helps. I hope so!
Just to update: After I called the director, the coordinator has " started to work on getting him placed closer"!!! The process does take time but as everyone knows, time is our enemy. Went to see dh today at the nh and he is very upset. Kept crying about not wanting to be there, "they beat people" and such. This begging tears my heart out. After 45 min, I went to leave and saw 2 women walking towards his room. One had a badge on from the nh I wanted to place him. I stopped them and introduced my dh. They were hopeful about VA signing a contract but knew it might take a few weeks (as opposed to the "end of the summer" that the VA coordinator kept saying. The VA coord took a tour around this facility yesterday and was impressed. When we were speaking at the nursing station, the day nurse advised them that there was another resident that was from my area whose wife wanted him placed closer to their home. He also is a VA contract. This may just be the answer for both of us. I find it difficult to comprehend why they would not do anything till I made the call to the director. It should not take that to get care. The coord knew that the only nh on her approved list refused to take him. What did she expect me to do? I wish that the world was a little more compassionate and less hurtful especially if they are working in the medical field. There is enough stress just dealing with this disease. I'll keep you all updated. Thanks.
Kathryn, have you been reading about the couple in Hawaii who were forced to live in two separate nursing homes. The rules stated that there was a limit on the number of Medicaid patients who could live in one facility. The couple had been married for 63 years . The governor was brought into the picture and NOW they are going to let her move in with her husband..after a long wait living separately. Her husband doesn't have much time left, but he apparently understood that she was coming to him. What's with these places???and their silly rules. They have no feelings for their "subjects", and frankly, many of them just don't care. I felt so sad for that couple. Read about it: www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30367555/
Kathryn, try contact Congressman Spencer Bachus (AL). He has really helped us in the past concerning VA. I don't know if it makes a difference what state he's from.