Well, everything has so far worked out with my mother in the skilled nursing facility. She suddenly likes it, the food is good, she has OT and PT daily. As I told her repeatedly, the weekend is not an ideal time to check in to one of these. Oh, and as for the screaming roomate, I got mom moved and she has a lovely new roommate...but the original roommate has a new person where mom used to be, and according to the nurses is screaming again at night. She wasn't those two nights she was alone, so I think I can see where that was going.
However, the facility has scheduled a telephonic Care Coordination meeting with me next week. Would appreciate insight if you've had one of these, what they are about, what do you say, what do THEY say, etc. I'd appreciate any tips or advice on what I need to ask, say, do. I will be asking for resources for home health and private caregiving because believe me I'm at the end of the line with it. I told my mom that even doing my level best of everything is still not enough to keep her out of the hospital or nursing care.
Make a list of questions. Then check off the important ones just in case your being whisked thru. Pay attention to her meds. My Moms Throid meds were dropped because the facility doctor felt they weren't needed because her numbers were good. They were good because she was on the medication. I wasn't even asked who her specialist was. I felt this was a decision that should have been discussed with the specialist. I did call the Specialist and he agreed she had been stable for a while so just run tests every 3 months to check her levels. If they start to drop then contact him. The facility doctors are GPs. You can still take your family member to see their specialists.
This is a pet peeve of mine. A persons PCP or specialist prescribe certain meds. The person lands in the hospital and their doctors fool around with the persons meds, making changes without consulting the persons regular doctors.
Mom called a little while ago saying that she's been laying in bed all day and, "I can do this at home, so I need to just go home." Apparently no one has come by for therapy today. It's a Friday before a 3 day weekend so I'm not holding my breath. My first question to them is likely, "why does my mother keep calling me to get her out of your facility. This is twice now that she has done this since being admitted."
I'm sure I'm not alone in thinking that our eldercare in this country is nothing short of a trash fire. I'm learning this now.
Nevertheless I'll be asking them first and foremostly why she called on a Friday wanting me to find a way to discharge her, if nothing else. She claims no one has been by for physical therapy today and "everyone is being taken care of but me." I asked her if maybe there was a critical case that came in, or if maybe it's possible they're lesser staffed with COVID still about. No answer of course. They're still bringing her her meals in bed, and when I told her, "hey let me come and just pack you up and take you back home, we'll find home care in a couple a days," i got the, "Well now wait a minute."
I never liked rollercoaster rides. Real, or emotional.
The last few weeks of her health in decline I've noticed mine is too. Last night I ran my hands through my hair and two handfuls came with it. Who's going to take care of who...
As far as PT and OT, it was fantastic and we did see an improvement in mom’s mobility issues (Parkinson’s disease).
The care meeting was very good. The social worker and the rest of the medical staff went out of their way to make sure everything was in order. They answered all of my questions and didn’t rush the meeting.
I hope your mom will have success with home health. We did. Mom’s OT and PT worked very hard to help her. It’s a tough work out but if she works at it she should see improvement. I was fortunate that mom worked very hard with her therapist and got results.
Still, every situation is different. I have heard others say that therapy did not help them, mainly because the patient had issues that were really complicated or advanced.
Give home health a try. They will let you know how it is progressing. They push hard but they never ask someone to go beyond their limits.
I think you are smart to know your limitations. Don’t push yourself past what is acceptable for you.
Best wishes to you and your mom.