My Mama was in the hospital just after the holidays where it was determined she had developed pretty severe blood clots in her right leg. She was put on Heparin (sp) and the usual protocol, given a script for Xarelto and sent home in a couple of days. The script was only for three months and so now we are needing a refill. I am getting two different stories. The hospice doctor initially told our nurse that it would be ok to just take Mama off the Xarelto and put her on regular aspirin. I know the clotting was extreme and Mama is totally bedfast so I fear it will only return. Mama's insurance provider is telling me the doctor has not provided the prior authorization. I have given them that number to call directly. They are telling me they have sent it repeatedly. Bottom line, I cannot get my mama's meds. CVS has been kind enough to provide a three day supply, then another three day supply but now her supply is gone and still no prescription. Has anyone run into this and what do I do. I have argued til I am blue in the face. Why in the hell are we put in this position as caregivers on top of everything else?
This summer, Medicare will run a pilot program allowing Hospice care for comfort as well as medications that sustain life if the patient/family want them. They feel that this move will make comfort care an easier choice. However, I don't believe that program will be in effect until July.
I'd talk with the hospice people about your mom's improvement. If you want her on medications that prolong life you may have to remove her from the program. She can always go back on hospice when she worsens.
These are difficult times for you. We're with you,
Carol
Again, as caregivers we tend to be given "incomplete" discharge instructions or program instructions. So we are left to spin our wheels unnecessarily because others assume we know the "ins and outs" of getting help for our fragile elderly.
Anyway, enjoy this weekend with Mom on Mothers Day. She is lucky to have you good care. Try not to get "frightened out of your wits". Realize that as a devoted caregiver, you do the best you can with what you can. We all make mistakes or wish we could have do overs as caregivers. It is a process. Make sure you get a routine which allows you to get some sleep. It is difficult but without enough sleep you really can't be your best at caregiving.
Again, enjoy Mothers Day the weekend.
At this point, the main help with hospice is the fact she does not have to go to the doctor, which she is totally unable to do now anyway...I seem to recall that home health did have a nurse though who came out for a weekly visit, so I guess that monitoring will still be there. I think it very well could be time to go off hospice. Mama is doing much better. Therefore if that is their issue, I suppose we can do it. The part that I will hate about that change is that even if we do that and even if we stayed with this provider, which, they will change out her bed, equipment again and I hate putting her through all that...wow...sometimes it seems it should be easier on our parents, loved ones when it reaches this stage...thanks all...
In all other areas, Mama is about as happy as any elderly person I've ever seen. We have her bed in the main living area of our home so she is there with us and not put off in a room by herself...She is an integral part of our lives as she always has been. Nothing has changed, the nurse has there is very little "wasting" physically....
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