Case 1:This case involves a 4-month-old patient currently in the NICU for prematurity, intraventricular hemorrhage and respiratory distress. The patient has had a difficult journey where more weeks than none, the medical team was concerned for their life and has additionally developed a condition that may leave the patient blind. The patient is still intubated and will require several more months admissions to progress to better respiratory requirements, getting on full feeds and hopefully not having significant brain damage due to their condition. The caregivers have recently separated as a result of the stress related to the patient’s health and the admission has become very costly for the family. One of the caregivers has employment but does not make enough to make ends meet. Due to work, the caregiver does not have the opportunity to visit and does not have a family support system in the state. The caregiver would eventually like to move back to their home state once patient is in a stable condition which will be long. This has put additional stress on the primary caregiver while also caring for patient’s siblings. All of these factors have caused a great deal of stress and financial impact which the caregiver is struggling to pay their bills and really needs assistance with their rent. Therefore, we are submitting for your consideration a request for $600 towards their rent. Total Ask: $600.00
After discussion, the committee voted to increase the support to $900
Case 2: This case involves a 17 year-old patient who was in an accident in August. In the subsequent days, this accident led to acute paralysis for the patient. They were admitted for spinal epidural abscess from T5-T12 with MRSA. The patient is now in rehab and is wheelchair bound. The caregivers have been bedside throughout their stay, alternating between their jobs and caring for their other children at home. Due to the patient and family needs, the caregivers have had to cut back on their work, which has decreased their monthly finances, and they have been behind on several bills. Therefore, we are submitting for your consideration the following needs: Mortgage ($1624.21), and Car payment ($934.19). Total ask: $2558.40
The committee approved $2558.40 for mortgage and ca payment.
Case 3: This case involves a 4-month-old infant who has faced significant medical challenges since birth. The patient was transferred to ACH due to concerns with bronchopulmonary dysplasia, retinopathy of prematurity, grade1 germinal matrix hemorrhage and feeding difficulties among other things. The patient’s progress weening off oxygen has been very slow and is just now starting therapy for oral feeding. It is likely the patient will require oxygen support and a g-tube when they eventually discharge which is still several weeks away. The patient’s caregiver has faced many obstacles themselves including being out of work prior to delivery due to medical complications and the recovery from a C-section/related complication. The caregiver has returned to work, but their hours have been significantly reduced, and they are the sole financial caregiver for the patient. Despite these hardships, the caregiver has done everything they care to keep up with bills including advocating for more hours and asking friends/family for help, while maintaining a steady and loving presence at bedside for the patient. In light of their circumstances, we are submitting for your consideration a request for three months’ rent ($1,761) to help the caregiver with stability while they continue to work to securing more consistent employment and continue to be present at bedside for patient’s care and recovery. Total Ask: $1,761 toward rent
The committee approved $1761 for 3 months’ rent.
Case 4: This case involves a 16-month-old who has remained in the NICU since birth. They were born prematurely and faced numerous complex medical challenges including chronic lung disease, pulmonary hypertension, coronal suture craniosynostosis and congenital heart disease among others. The patient has undergone several procedures including multiple cardiac catheterizations, an exploratory laparotomy and placement of a g-tube. They will require further interventions as well. While the initial goal was to discharge the patient this week, their recent sleep study raised concerns about pulmonary hypertension. Consequently, their medical team has determined they will remain hospitalized until after they recover from their procedure in October. The patient’s caregivers have endured many challenges for the past year including the loss of another premature infant during this patient’s hospitalization. The caregivers are young and have been learning to manage complicated responsibilities with a limited support system. During the early months, one of the caregivers was working until their vehicle broke down and was not able to continue their employment. They were able to obtain another vehicle and have found new employment which only pays when they are actively able to work. The caregiver has lost wages due to needing to be present for patient’s surgeries, procedures and trainings which included a “rooming in” week to prepared for discharge only to have those discharge plans change now. Throughout all of these issues, the caregivers have asked for little assistance but with the additional hospitalization and limited finances, they could greatly benefit from rental assistance. Therefore, we are submitting for your consideration a request for two months’ rent ($800). Total ask: $800.00
The committee approved $800 for two months’ rent.
Case 5: This case involves a 7-year-old patient admitted in September due to acute respiratory failure. The patient is medically complex with a high risk of adverse outcomes including Hydrocephalus, VP shunt, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, asthma, g-tube dependence among others. Due to unexpected and prolonged admission, the caregiver has been unable to work their consistent schedule and balancing being present at bedside and caring for other siblings at home. This has resulted in the caregiver becoming behind on their rent, electricity, and car payments. In regard to the electrical needs, the patient has several pieces of medical equipment that require electricity to keep her alive. Therefore, the family cannot afford to have their electricity disconnected as it is unknown how long the patient will be in the hospital but will need to be able to connect to a power source when discharged. Also, due to the complexity of the patient and the medical equipment, they cannot sleep in a shared space so losing their home would cause the patient to need facility services. Additionally, transportation options are limited as it has been difficult obtaining transportation from Medicaid so maintaining the vehicle will ensure the patient is able to attend all their follow up appointments and get the services needed. Therefore, we are submitting for your consideration the following needs: Rent ($1350), Electric ($277.86), and car payment ($644.30). Total ask: $2,292.16
The committee approved $2292.16 for rent, electricity, and car payment.
Case 6: This case involves a 2-month-old infant born prematurely with moderate grade II BPD, trisomy 18, and congenital heart disease among other issues. The patient was transferred to ACH in August for follow up of their congenital dysplasia and the trisomy 18. Given the Trisomy 18 diagnosis, the surgical options for the heart defects are often considered with the understanding that survival rates are lower and may shift focus to providing comfort care. Due to this, the medical team has not made a formal decision regarding surgery. The patient’s full-time caregiver is a Veteran who is also caring for the patient’s siblings and going through a separation. The caregiver receives retirement income due to being unable to work due to a disability from their military service. Due to all of the patient’s needs and balancing financial needs at home as well, the family has become behind on the mortgage payment and is seeking assistance to help them get on their feet. Therefore, we are submitting for your consideration a request for $2,080 for mortgage. Total ask: $2,080.
The committee approved $2080 for mortgage.
Case 7: This case involves a 4-month-old 24- week gestation premature patient in the NICU due to bronchopulmonary dysplasia, a serious lung condition that impacts the ability to breathe and the patient is currently on a ventilator with no immediate timeline for discharge. This has understandably created an emotional and financial toll on the family. One of the caregivers had to postpone starting their job to be at bedside with the patient. As a result, the family is now relying on the other caregiver’s income, and they have other children at home. This has caused the family to become behind on their mortgage and electricity bills. Therefore, we submit for your consideration a request for $992.29 for mortgage and $285.43 for electricity. Total ask: $1,277.72
The committee approved $1277.72 for mortgage and electricity.
Case 8: This case involves a 7-year-old severe sickle cell patient which has required four unexpected visits to the ED over the past year. They are also attending regular clinical appointments for the disease. The patient’s caregiver works a low paying job that does not offer paid time off. The patient’s frequent illness lately has led to having to stay home with the patient and to the hospital for necessary treatment. This has led to the caregiver getting two months behind on rent as she lives on a very limited budget and things can snowball on their quickly when income is unexpectedly decreased. Helping the family catch up on past due rent would prevent the caregiver from getting evicted and help secure safe/affordable housing for the family. Therefore, we are submitting for your consideration a request for $1200 for rent. Total ask: $1200.00
After discussion, the committee determined that this was not a catastrophic situation, and therefore declined this request.
The total support provided this month was $11669.28
