Federal Program Helps Nursing Home Residents Move Home
Once someone enters a nursing home, it isn't always easy to move out again . . .
Read moreMoving to a nursing home can bring up many emotions that are hard to cope with, such as feelings of abandonment, loss, disorientation and frustration. It''s little wonder that more than half of nursing home residents suffer from depression, according to the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry . However, most of these residents fail to receive the services they could benefit from, says the Medicare Rights Center.
Contrary to popular belief, the elderly can benefit from mental health services, and Medicare Part B covers 50 percent of the Medicare-approved amount for outpatient therapy services. The only catch is that the beneficiary may be required to leave the premises to obtain therapy, unless he finds a mental health provider willing to come to the nursing home.
The Medicare Rights Center offers the following guidelines to make sure a nursing home resident gets the mental health services she needs. The Center advises making the initial request in writing so that you can keep a record for your files.
Get in touch with the social services department.
Get in touch with the resident''s doctor.
Request a care planning meeting.
If you are still not satisfied, contact an ombudsman.
For more information:
Medicare''s brochure, Medicare and Your Mental Health Benefits, describes inpatient and outpatient mental health services covered by Medicare. To download it in PDF, click here. (If you do not have the free PDF reader installed on your computer, download it here.)
The Mayo clinic''s Web site has important information on how to choose a mental health care provider, whether it be a psychiatrist or a social worker.
Call the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill''s HelpLine at 1-800-950-NAMI for information, referrals and resources on mental health issues.
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