Got a letter from the VA

[baldfatdad]

I got a letter from the VA yesterday, saying someone was going to call me. It said they are doing a survey of SCI people to see how they can improve the care. Anyone else get a letter like this?

[skippy13]

Not only did I get a letter, but I got the call yesterday. They want info on how you use the VA and whether or not you have other insurance (medicare, medicaid, tricare, private etc.).

Takes about 10 - 30 minutes they say, took me less than 10. They are trying to figure future needs for patients, but I did not see any questions directed that way.

They did not ask one quesion that I wish they would ask and that is...how long does it take to get an appointment with your primary at the VA?

If they really wanted to get a grip on the needs of VA, they should include that question.

[Oldtimer]

I got the same letter about a week ago, no call as of yet.

Also got a letter in March informing me to make an appointment for my annual physical. I called right away and got in about a week ago (it usually has been around April 1st). Of all the past years they made the appointments. It's nuts because I can make the appointment for when I want and they go ahead and change it.

[LindaT]

At Dave's visit last month they were going to forward a request to the local VA suggesting an air bed, Have not heard so will make some calls tomorrow.
Some confusion on bowel bladder program for caregivers.
Local told me to ask in Mpls and Mpls referred me back to local with a phone # in name-trouble is no one heard of this person. The family support group woman was surprised no answers from the others and they surprised no answer from her.
I'm going back to the original social worker who was kind and said to call any time.
Not goving up and I believe some of you told me it is a great place, but to be persisant.
The new manual chair and head array being ordered and at some point we will return so he can try it. When chair in they will coordinate so he was be admitted.

[LindaT]

Originally Posted by baldfatdad

I got a letter from the VA yesterday, saying someone was going to call me. It said they are doing a survey of SCI people to see how they can improve the care. Anyone else get a letter like this?

Did not get a letter or phone call, but he is new in the system.

[SCI-Nurse]

Linda, the SCI Coordinator (SW) at you home VA is responsible for doing the paperwork to see if you can get funded under the fee-basis Bowel & Bladder program. Call that person today.

Not every veteran is being surveyed. This is being done by random selection of a sample from all veterans served.

(KLD)

[LindaT]

Originally Posted by SCI-Nurse

Linda, the SCI Coordinator (SW) at you home VA is responsible for doing the paperwork to see if you can get funded under the fee-basis Bowel & Bladder program. Call that person today.

Not every veteran is being surveyed. This is being done by random selection of a sample from all veterans served.

(KLD)

Thanks KLD-I finally reached the right person this morning. There seemed to be some confusion and telephone tag among the people trying to help me.
She is going to set up a time for us to come in.

[skippy13]

Linda, It is so hard sometimes to find the right person to get things done. You have to remember that not all vets are alike and not all VA employees are alike. You have said before that Dave is somewhat of an anomaly even among the vets in the MPLS SCI program. You must simply keep trying to get the answers you know to be right in your heart.

Not all VA employees are familiar with other than the run of the mill vet issues they see every day. Not everyone there is of the quality that KLD obviously is either, sad to say. Your SCI coordinator should be the first contact for your needs within the VA. Unfortunaltely, I have run into some people in the VA that simply do not know everything, lol.

[Oldtimer]

Originally Posted by LindaT

At Dave's visit last month they were going to forward a request to the local VA suggesting an air bed, Have not heard so will make some calls tomorrow.
Some confusion on bowel bladder program for caregivers.
Local told me to ask in Mpls and Mpls referred me back to local with a phone # in name-trouble is no one heard of this person. The family support group woman was surprised no answers from the others and they surprised no answer from her.
I'm going back to the original social worker who was kind and said to call any time.
Not goving up and I believe some of you told me it is a great place, but to be persisant.
The new manual chair and head array being ordered and at some point we will return so he can try it. When chair in they will coordinate so he was be admitted.

Dave is entitled to the air bed and should have one, keep after them.

If the bowel & bladder is fee basis, the training and evaluation would have to be done at MPLS VA unless there is a SCI VA closer to you. Training is manditory and must be done annually no matter if the person has been doing it for the past 50 years. Job security at work.

[SCI-Nurse]

Originally Posted by Oldtimer

Dave is entitled to the air bed and should have one, keep after them.

If the bowel & bladder is fee basis, the training and evaluation would have to be done at MPLS VA unless there is a SCI VA closer to you. Training is manditory and must be done annually no matter if the person has been doing it for the past 50 years. Job security at work.

That is not strictly true. We do not certify PCAs/family caregivers annually. Once is fine, unless there is a new caregiver. We also certify through the local SCI spoke clinic, and also by the SCI home care nurse, not just at the SCI hub clinic or inpatient unit. There is a great amount of leeway in how each center does this. 1176.1 only requires that certification (training and competency validation) be done by SCI-trained staff.

(KLD)