Writing on Wed to recap - Finally on Monday I was able to make and receive calls to people that can help OTHER than the nurse on duty. I have been so frustrated as I could not move forward over the weekend much except to work on outside things like cleaning out apartment for Kameron, checking on his lease, visiting him, researching and documenting etc.
Today I learned - there is a social worker assigned to the doctors patients and he also spends time with Kameron himself...he attends to court information and coordinates things for families like referrals for facilities, legal matters etc. At last I was given some information on the process underway...Still lots of blanks and unknowns but did learn more than I knew before.
Kam is now admitted to the hospital on an ORDER OF PROTECTIVE CUSTODY - OPC. This means he is there involuntary basically because the original order for 72 assessment and observation was nearing expiration and they did not feel it was safe for him to leave, so they filed with the courts to keep him. Because he is there involuntarily they have to return to continue to present evidence that it is necessary to keep him. A Doctor can request OPC to be dropped if patient can be transitioned to another facility, signs in voluntarily, if there is insurance or if the patient has been treated and can be safely released. As of Monday morning - it is a safe bet that they have probable cause to keep him.
After the probable cause hearing there will be 2 more court hearings - Thursday is the first of these. These hearings are basically where the case is re-evaluated, but have also been referred to as a 'commitment hearing'. Bottom line - the doctor will make recommendation as to if Kameron needs to continue care there or move to a longer term facility - in this case they would request a state mental hospital (which scares me to DEATH!!!) I have discussed my concern with this option with nurses and social workers but it is such a standard practice to them that they almost act as if I am not taking this seriously enough.
First of all - Kameron is not a mental patient long term. He is has a drug problem. Once he is stabilized - he will not need long term mental care. Secondly - we have private insurance and can select a private facility and use private funds rather than state funding. And mostly - if ANYONE of us ever had a need for medical care of ANY KIND, obviously you would NEVER choose a government owned and run facility for your care. Imagine county free health clinics compared to your private practice doctors office...medical options based on costs vs options. It sickens me to imagine that for him and also the state facilities are in my opinion long term holding cells for people they do not know what to do with. Even the most severe case of mental illness deserves to be within a community and to have family close. ((As you can see this subject is going to be one that I fight VERY VERY VERY hard on for him!!)) If he needs longer term stabilization and care for mental illness then WE will make sure that he gets this...WE - the FAMILY, not a government.
I don't have all the answers to my questions yet but know that one of two things can happen...they can release him, or they will keep him longer. He explained that the hospital he is at is not intended to be a longer stay than 2 weeks - so either if further care is required he will either be sent to state facility 'committed' involuntarily - or can be 'furlowed' and sent home for up to 90 days. This means he has to manage the care outside of the hospital back in the community with care through doctors, other facilities, groups, and/or outpatient treatment. If the patient does not continue care or misses appointments, deviating from the treatment plans - they can then recommit him and send him to the state facility involuntarily. He explained that furlow is only if they have had enough progress to go home and continue care (like being on probation). Families can call and resend the furlow agreement if they are concerned and the patient can be sent then to the state facility. No one even talks about any other option for longer term care - it's like the answer at that point is just throw them in the black hole!!!
First of all - Kameron is not a mental patient long term. He is has a drug problem. Once he is stabilized - he will not need long term mental care. Secondly - we have private insurance and can select a private facility and use private funds rather than state funding. And mostly - if ANYONE of us ever had a need for medical care of ANY KIND, obviously you would NEVER choose a government owned and run facility for your care. Imagine county free health clinics compared to your private practice doctors office...medical options based on costs vs options. It sickens me to imagine that for him and also the state facilities are in my opinion long term holding cells for people they do not know what to do with. Even the most severe case of mental illness deserves to be within a community and to have family close. ((As you can see this subject is going to be one that I fight VERY VERY VERY hard on for him!!)) If he needs longer term stabilization and care for mental illness then WE will make sure that he gets this...WE - the FAMILY, not a government.
I don't have all the answers to my questions yet but know that one of two things can happen...they can release him, or they will keep him longer. He explained that the hospital he is at is not intended to be a longer stay than 2 weeks - so either if further care is required he will either be sent to state facility 'committed' involuntarily - or can be 'furlowed' and sent home for up to 90 days. This means he has to manage the care outside of the hospital back in the community with care through doctors, other facilities, groups, and/or outpatient treatment. If the patient does not continue care or misses appointments, deviating from the treatment plans - they can then recommit him and send him to the state facility involuntarily. He explained that furlow is only if they have had enough progress to go home and continue care (like being on probation). Families can call and resend the furlow agreement if they are concerned and the patient can be sent then to the state facility. No one even talks about any other option for longer term care - it's like the answer at that point is just throw them in the black hole!!!
He explained that family participation is encouraged and we can even testify on his behalf during court hearings. However, I have called and called and called again...and NO ONE returns my calls. I have asked EVERY nurse I come in contact with to have the doctor call me, I want to schedule an appointment, set up a time when I am there to visit, anything!!!! (My request has been made numerous ways and multiple times a day - checking in to visit, calling and asking the nurse that answers the phone, requesting through Kam's a.m. and p.m. nurses, leaving voicemail messages for social worker, asking Kam to let Dr know to call - it just such a getting-nowhere process).
Like I said - a doctor can request to drop OPC if a patient can be transferred to another facility or signs in voluntarily or there is private insurance care available. But at this point I am not even sure the doctor knows there is family or insurance!!!! I want to scream sometimes or break down...but breaking down means not moving forward so I just have to BREATHE and go!
Like I said - a doctor can request to drop OPC if a patient can be transferred to another facility or signs in voluntarily or there is private insurance care available. But at this point I am not even sure the doctor knows there is family or insurance!!!! I want to scream sometimes or break down...but breaking down means not moving forward so I just have to BREATHE and go!
The fact that we have insurance on Kameron is a blessing like no other!!! Bobby - thank you so much for always looking out for Kameron and adding him as soon as you learned of new laws for adult children coverage!!!! That move may have been the most critical pre-Wed move any of us has made!!!! Thank you. Hopefully someone will listen soon. I cannot be ignored for much longer.
I have been told that the court appointed attorney on Kam's case will also be notified that family wants to be involved and if Kam will sign a CONSENT TO RELEASE INFORMATION then they will talk with me freely. But again - haven't heard from attorney and no one will give me the name or contact information!!! They forward me to social workers line which hasn't responded to calls since the initial contact.
Please please please continue to pray for Kameron. And add to your list Social Worker - Michael, Dr. B, nurses Mimi, Jana, Ji-Ji, Dorothy, and Bea - along with anyone else involved in his care. Please also pray for me as I continue to beat my head against a brick wall and start to see that the mental illness quest for help can eventually make a sane person crazy!!
Thank you!!!!
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