Visiting nurse?

[Tiggerific04]

Hi everyone... my fiance and I are thinking about having a Disney wedding, but I have some questions. My best friend/MOH suffered a spinal cord injury last year and needs assistance with bowel/bladder care every other day. Is there some kind of visiting nurse service in the Orlando area that would come to the resort for a couple hours to do this for her? I've tried Googling and contacting a couple places, but they don't offer this service.

She doesn't feel comfortable with any of us doing it for her, so it would have to be a nurse or home health aide. I realize it will probably be very expensive, but she absolutely HAS to be at my wedding so cost is not really an issue.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Michigan]

Why not take her regular aide with her to WDW?

 

[Chuck S]

Who assists her at home? If she has a nursing agency at home to assist her, I would contact them...surely there must be some sort of network for people that need "maintenance care" but are healthy enough to travel. Does she have insurance that pays for this assistance, they should also have some contacts.

 

[Maryr1]

Try the county health department. Most can do private pay cases. There also may be a "VNA" (visiting nurses association) with a private duty division. Also, if there are any bank in the area that specialize in "Trusts" -they may be able to give you the name of a health care agency they use for their trust clients who have care at home. Finally, try the local hospitals-they have discharge planners who can give you a heads up on agencies in the area. Good luck!

 

[Tiggerific04]

She is currently living in a facility, so she doesn't have a "regular" aide. Plus, the aides here aren't allowed to do bowel/bladder care so as far as I know, they wouldn't be able to help even if she found someone to accompany her.

Right now medicaid pays for everything.

I'll definitely check into the VNA and local hospitals -- thanks!

 

[KathyRN137]

Hi Tiggerrific!

Just a word of advice from an RN who has worked for both VNA and for private Home Health Care agencies...Your friend needs an RN or an LPN, not an aide. I will spare everyone the graphic details but if your friend needs what I think you are talking about, it can be dangerous for a lesser-trained individual to do these procedures. Use a reputable agency such as the local VNA or a certified Home Care agency.

It costs more to go through an agency, but it ensures that the nurse is licensed, insured, and bonded.

Unfortunately, there is a chance that someone you hire "free-lance" is not actually an RN or LPN. Some aides refer to themselves as "nurses", but they are not licensed professionals. A certified home health aide is perfect for personal care assistance, such as bathing and dressing, but is not able to do the bowel/bladder procedures of which you are speaking.

Good luck! You sound like a great friend!

Kathy

 

[Tiggerific04]

Hi Tiggerrific!

Just a word of advice from an RN who has worked for both VNA and for private Home Health Care agencies...Your friend needs an RN or an LPN, not an aide. I will spare everyone the graphic details but if your friend needs what I think you are talking about, it can be dangerous for a lesser-trained individual to do these procedures. Use a reputable agency such as the local VNA or a certified Home Care agency.

It costs more to go through an agency, but it ensures that the nurse is licensed, insured, and bonded.

Unfortunately, there is a chance that someone you hire "free-lance" is not actually an RN or LPN. Some aides refer to themselves as "nurses", but they are not licensed professionals. A certified home health aide is perfect for personal care assistance, such as bathing and dressing, but is not able to do the bowel/bladder procedures of which you are speaking.

Good luck! You sound like a great friend!

Kathy

Hi Kathy!

I finally found several agencies in Orlando that specialize in "house" calls for exactly what she needs (they're RNs) so it looks like it will work out (hopefully!). Now we're just trying to iron out the details of her getting down there

 

[SueM in MN]

I'm glad it looks like things will work out. People already posted what I was going to post (especially what KathyRN posted - I have also worked as a home care nurse in the past). If you are going thru a licensed nursing agency (which it sounds like you found), they will be able to let you know what they need as far as doctor's orders. If she has a Social Worker at her present facility, work with him/her also to make sure that all bases are covered and her placement at the facility/medicaid status is not jeapardized/impacted by her being gone. She would probably need to be discharged temporaily from the facility and then re-admited when you get back. The Social Worker should also be able to help with questions about whether Medicaid can pay for services while you are in Orlando.

 

[CPT Tripss]

I'm glad it looks like things will work out. People already posted what I was going to post (especially what KathyRN posted - I have also worked as a home care nurse in the past). If you are going thru a licensed nursing agency (which it sounds like you found), they will be able to let you know what they need as far as doctor's orders. If she has a Social Worker at her present facility, work with him/her also to make sure that all bases are covered and her placement at the facility/medicaid status is not jeapardized/impacted by her being gone. She would probably need to be discharged temporaily from the facility and then re-admited when you get back. The Social Worker should also be able to help with questions about whether Medicaid can pay for services while you are in Orlando.

I see that you are in NJ - if your MoH is also in NJ, a "buzzword" you might want to use when talking to the SW at the is "therapeutic leave."
Is the facility a group home or a nursing facility? I ask because they have differant rules for "leave" days. So a discharge then readmission may not be required.
If a Medicaid "waiver" is involved with funding her care, she should talk to her waiver case manager - NJ Medicaid has been known to pick up costs of care when someone goes out of state. Good luck.
Added note - I am comfortable, from a NJ Medicaid perspective, with all the advice you have been given in these posts.

 

[Tiggerific04]

I see that you are in NJ - if your MoH is also in NJ, a "buzzword" you might want to use when talking to the SW at the is "therapeutic leave."
Is the facility a group home or a nursing facility? I ask because they have differant rules for "leave" days. So a discharge then readmission may not be required.
If a Medicaid "waiver" is involved with funding her care, she should talk to her waiver case manager - NJ Medicaid has been known to pick up costs of care when someone goes out of state. Good luck.
Added note - I am comfortable, from a NJ Medicaid perspective, with all the advice you have been given in these posts.

It's categorized as a nursing home by the state. She is actually in the process of moving out on her own, so we're hoping that none of this is even an issue come next year.

Thanks!

 

[CPT Tripss]

It's categorized as a nursing home by the state. She is actually in the process of moving out on her own, so we're hoping that none of this is even an issue come next year.

Thanks!

That's terrific! All the best to her.