Medicare And Special Diets

[Portageegal]

Oh, Brother. I am in a pickle. I am on disability and living in a rest/retirement home. I have very little control over what is prepared for meals. Do any of you "older" people know if there are any allowences made for a special diet? The gov't. allows us $60 a month for our expenses and I can't see how that will stretch if I have to buy special foods. I have been trying to find out online about whether rest homes have to prepare special food for you or not. All I can find is that they have to for low salt, and diabetes. As it is they complain about how much they spend on food here. AGGHHHHHH !!!!!!! I'm screwed.

[LKelly8]

No pickles, don't worry.

The law says your home must accommodate your diet - it's a medical nessesity, just like the diabetic diet. I expect the meals they prepare will be rather bland though, you'll want to add your own bread, treats, etc...

Now will SSD pay for the extra (gluten free) food? Hmmm. Interesting, I'm on disablity too and I never even thought of that. I'll go poke around the social security website, see what I can find.

(anything not to have to call the ss office)

[Portageegal]

(anything not to have to call the ss office)

What's the matter? Don't you like holding a phone at your ear forever listening to crappy music ?

Carol

[LKelly8]

Well, the SSD and Medicare websites are a bust. I did email a query to SSD about special diets and coverage but odds are slim I get a reply that's helpful.

You may have to bite the bullet and contact SSD. I'd try SSD/medicare first if I were you, as bad as they are, nothing's worse than the medicaid office {shudder}

(As far as I know the social security website did not feature muzak - although I did rip my computer speakers out just to be safe. )

[Portageegal]

Oh yeah, I've been to the websites. BIG waste of my time. I will have to call them then or have the social worker here do it for me. Thanks for you time and response.

Carol

[judy05]

Oh, Brother.  I am in a pickle.  I am on disability and living in a rest/retirement home.  I have very little control over what is prepared for meals.  Do any of you "older" people know if there are any allowences made for a special diet? The gov't. allows us $60 a month for our expenses and I can't see how that will stretch if I have to buy special foods. I have been trying to find out online about whether rest homes have to prepare special food for you or not.  All I can find is that they have to for low salt, and diabetes. As it is they complain about how much they spend on food here.  AGGHHHHHH !!!!!!!  I'm screwed.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

When my Mother was in a nursing home they admitted a man on a gluten free diet, they bought special food for him, I don't know if it cost the family extra, they should have to accomodate you, just like they do for diabetics. I know they have sugar free foods because my mother received them, she had diabetes, wasn't on medication, controlled by diet.

As a nurse I worked in long term care and the Glucerna and other diabetic foods did not cost extra. You need to talk to the doctor who can order a consult with the dietician who is in charge of the meals or call her yourself. If you don't get any response, call the ombudsman for your state and make a complaint. They have to post the number somewhere in your facility where it is available to you.

[judy05]

Oh, Brother.  I am in a pickle.  I am on disability and living in a rest/retirement home.  I have very little control over what is prepared for meals.  Do any of you "older" people know if there are any allowences made for a special diet? The gov't. allows us $60 a month for our expenses and I can't see how that will stretch if I have to buy special foods. I have been trying to find out online about whether rest homes have to prepare special food for you or not.  All I can find is that they have to for low salt, and diabetes. As it is they complain about how much they spend on food here.  AGGHHHHHH !!!!!!!  I'm screwed.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Just wanted to add something. Don't pay any attention to them when they complain about their costs, they are making plenty of money, you wouldn't believe how much! They employ people and pay them the least amount they can get away with. Another source in nursing home is the Social Worker. You should have one assigned to you.

[Portageegal]

I talked to the Massachusetts medicaid office and they said that a rest home

does NOT have to supply gluten-free food for me. I guess they figure I could just not

eat bread or something. I talked to the ombudsman the other day and she

is going to look into it further for me.

Carol

[judy05]

I talked to the Massachusetts medicaid office and they said that a rest home

does NOT have to supply gluten-free food for me.  I guess they figure I could just not

eat bread or something.  I talked to the ombudsman the other day and she

is going to look into it further for me.       

Carol

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Another source would be the Americans for Disability Act, they have used it in schools. Please plug away at it, they have to accomodate you. I would also have your physician write an order for you, they have to act on that. This is the only way we are going to get in their face and get them to accomodate us. If I can do anything to help you, let me know. We may be in your shoes some day.