Atrium Post Acute Care of Hamilton

After a brief stay in hospital, it was suggested my mom go to a rehab for a bit since she would be going home with oxygen for a short time. We checked her into B Well since it was right next to RWJ Hospital, for what we thought would be a few days to get adjusted to walking with oxygen etc. They took her walker away put her in a wheel chair and began their assessment of my mother. Her PT therapist, after I prodded her with questions, finally admitted mom would be in for a minimum 20 days and that she can not use a walker because they like to start from a wheel chair and work their way up to a walker etc. WHAT?! Come to think of it, none of the patients were walking ALL in wheel chairs. Must be an insurance thing. They sent in a speech therapist when mom had a little bit of trouble swallowing a very large potassium pill. I tried to tell them she has no issues with swallowing, only the one pill which we usually give to her with a spoonful of pudding or yogurt. Nope they have protocol and the nurse noted «trouble swallowing» on chart so $$$ send in speech therapist. We pulled her out withing 48 hours AMA and was threatened that without doctors permission her medicare benefits would be denied. Actually told this. I immediately phoned Medicare office while standing in rehab parking lot only to be told this was completely untrue. Its a nightmare. Once in patients long time doctors have not privileges. You are under the control of the rehabs doctors. Do not use this place. They just opened in February and are looking for $$. Lastly, medical records indicated mom to have oxygen ²⁴⁄₇. Asked how they came to this decision since hospital said as needed. They over ride hospital records for the nurse on duty assessment on check in?! Ok, lets review, mom needs oxygen as needed and goes to rehab to get familiar with portable oxygen tank and walker. Gets there they take walker away immediately. Tell us she will get there eventually. During a shower they had a portable tank on her. 45 minutes of showering and dressing only to find out they never turned on the oxygen tank! Moms home, walking nicely, no more oxygen, fully recovered. under their plan mom would still be in a wheel chair or lying in a bed 23 hrs a day. With 1 hr of PT daily. Ask questions, research and trust your instincts. Good luck.