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schizophrenic brother discharged by his case worker



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Sep 09, 2009 06:48 PM

schizophrenic brother discharged by his case worker

by iwanna

I have a 55 y.o. brother that is paranoid schizophrenic. He used to live with my mother. He would always go off his meds. His last psychotic break, we convinced the psychiatric unit that he cannot return to live with my elderly mother. He was then transferred to a psych hospital for a 28 day stay. Upon discharge, he was admitted to a personal care group home. He has been at this place for about three years. A few weeks ago, his caseworker said that he was doing fine. His caretaker has told him that he can live on his own, now. He may seem fine now. Of course his meds were given to him, everyday. I am certain that he cannot be trusted to be compliant with his meds. He does not have the income to live in assisted living. I am sure that he is being dismissed because of all the budget cuts.

I am thinking that perhaps we can hire somebody to give him his meds. I feel that he would be argumentative with me about taking his meds. So, I was thinking we could hire someone to give him his meds. Any suggestions, and ideas what the fair pay would be? He gets his meds tid.


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12 Comments
No. 1
from PAERRN20
Old Sep 10, 2009, 12:54 AM

Default Re: schizophrenic brother discharged by his case worker
Could you check into getting him a home health aide? I don't know if he is on disability but schizophrenia is certainly a dx that would qualify him and would pay for HH. If not, I would say that $10/day would be reasonable for TID med administration. That is assuming the person lives close to your brother. I may be guessing low because I live in a very rural, low cost of living area. Maybe you could hire a retired older person? I have gone through this with a schizophrenic family member and I know how difficult it is. Best of luck.
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No. 2
from iwanna
Old Sep 10, 2009, 10:37 AM

Default Re: schizophrenic brother discharged by his case worker
Thanks for reply. Yes, he is on SSDI. He applied before the age of 22, so he got Social Security based on my dad's. I am not sure if he would qualify for home health aide, but I will look into it. I haven't talked to his caregiver, yet. I think that she wants rid of him because of his smoking. He smokes outside, but he does not have much money left to buy his cigarettes. I think that cigs went up, he complains that he does not have any money left. Most of it goes to her, and not much to pay for his habit. He smokes 3 packs a day. He will not give up, no matter what. That is his only enjoyment in life. It is really sad. He is very anti-social and just lays around listening to music and smoking cigs all the time. I know not healthy, but that is his life! He used to get a ride to recreation center,(which was mandatory at home that he was at) but budget cuts, have affected that, too.
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No. 3
from Whispera
Old Sep 10, 2009, 01:42 PM

Default Re: schizophrenic brother discharged by his case worker
He's smoking 3 packs per day but doesn't have money to buy them and that's the reason his caseworker is wanting to discharge him? I think you must have left something out here! I can't imagine a caseworker giving a flying fig that a client smokes, other than knowing it's not healthy and wishing, hoping, educating so the client might decide to stop. His money goes to the caseworker? Since he's on SSDI, doesn't that pay for those services?

I don't think most home health aides could give him his medication. Agencies don't let their general aides do this. They might have medication aides though. It will cost alot of money to have one come to give him his meds 3 times a day though. Is there a nearby neighbor who would be willing to help out? Even for a fee?! If you use a non-medical person, though, make sure he or she understands the medication regimen thoroughly so the right dosage and right meds and times are followed....
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No. 4
from iwanna
Old Sep 10, 2009, 04:55 PM

Default Re: schizophrenic brother discharged by his case worker
No, the money does ot go to the caseworker. It goes to the caregiver of the personal care home. My brother does not have much money left after his room and board are paid for. He gets a $60 allowance.

I don't believe that he is being discharged because he smokes, but more because there are budget cuts. We live in PA and its a financial mess, here. His caregiver has commented several times, how much his cigarettes are. I am assuming that my brother is asking for cigarettes when his allowance is used up already. She has reported that my brother has been no problem.

But, the problem is just making sure that he is compliant with his own meds. He cannot be trusted to do it on his own. Being a frequent flyer to the psych unit has proved it.
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No. 5
from Jules A
Old Sep 12, 2009, 11:37 AM

Default Re: schizophrenic brother discharged by his case worker
Sadly this is a huge problem with patients like your brother who become stable when their environment is stable. Is there an adult day care that he could attend? Or could he get dec shots? Can your family help him financially? Good luck.
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No. 6
Old Sep 15, 2009, 10:35 PM

Default Re: schizophrenic brother discharged by his case worker
In australia nursing assistants and aides in home health (like in the hospital and residential setting) cannot administer medication. My gran with stage one dementia lives at home on her own (with a lot of support) we have RNs from the community nursing team who come by each day to give her her meds.
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No. 7
from morte
Old Sep 16, 2009, 05:11 AM

Default Re: schizophrenic brother discharged by his case worker
aides cannot administer, but can remind.....but it sounds like this may not be enough.....unfortunately, it sounds like you bro is one of those that needs long term (life long) institutionalization......and that isnt going to happen.
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No. 8
from talaxandra
Old Sep 16, 2009, 06:51 AM

Default Re: schizophrenic brother discharged by his case worker
Just an aside on the smoking - it can reduce some of the symptoms of schitzophrenia, as well as side effects of some of the meds.
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No. 9
from morte
Old Sep 16, 2009, 07:23 AM

Default Re: schizophrenic brother discharged by his case worker
Originally Posted by talaxandra View Post
Just an aside on the smoking - it can reduce some of the symptoms of schitzophrenia, as well as side effects of some of the meds.
i would like to share the facts about this with some one, could you point me in the right direction for article etc? tia
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