Just wanted you all to know that Maggie and I have been working on some transition strategies for the new level of care required to keep Mom at home. Mom is decidedly weaker, coughs more, hardly drinks anything, has very low blood pressure (but not out of the normal range for her). She still has an interest in food, but she does not seem to get much down. Her pill swallowing is fine. Vic had some problems on the weekend, but no problems at all this week.
Here's is where we are and further thoughts:
1. I have bought several shifts for her to wear so that it easier to support toileting needs. Maggie and I are taking steps to get some hospital gowns which may also help.
2. I am looking for tear away panties (maybe I can find them at Victoria's Secret? - I KNOW - A SICK, SICK JOKE) to make it easier as well. So far no luck. Panties with a velcro side will help in two ways: easier toileting and easier clean up following accidents.
3. There have been additional bowel movement accidents (2) that Maggie and I are relating to her prolonged sleep. They have only been happening during the night and she seems to be unaware of them. We may need to go to diaper at bedtime........that's going to be fun! Maggie and I have discussed a more rigorous toileting routine (i.e., at the same time of day - just put her on it and let her sit for a few.) Maggie is getting some disposable pads for the bed to help keep linens clean and cut down on laundry. They are not expensive as she gets them from her sister's place of employment where she can get them for a discount.
4. Bedsore was almost gone, but has returned.
5. Mom is cooperating well with "the dance", i.e., a specific way to lift her on/off bed and on/off toilet. We all need to follow in Maggie's footsteps and require Mom to participate in any way to push herself up and stand (although supported) while adjustments are made.
6. Mom is accepting the bedside commode a bit easier. However, if we took the wall down in front of the toilet in her bathroom, she could use the regular toilet. Not sure if this would be that helpful. Still need to lift her anyway.
7. Stay Heartened: The caregivers (Maggie especially) does not seem to be as fazed (sp?) by this as we all are. She says it is a "normal" progression and she is taking it in stride. Her overall comment is that she may be bedridden soon which actually may make it easier to care for her.
8. Up/Down stairs - Two Options: Chair Lift or Moving Mom downstairs. I for one think the Chair Lift is the easier of the two. I'll buy it and will agree to be reimbursed down the road for it so that we can preserve current cash for in-home care. In my opinion, moving her downstairs is a good option, but one that will require a lot more effort, not in terms of arranging, but in terms of fall-out. No. 1, she has already refused the idea and No. 2, if we move ahead anyway and force it, locals will bear the brunt of it. She could refuse the chair lift as well, but it would not create a constant flood of uncooperativeness. We probably need to be more sensitive to the fall-out impact as we continue to move forward. Just my opinion. Agree or disagree.
9. Dan and I are completing 1st steps to reverse mortgage on Monday which is HUD Counseling requirement. Cross your fingers that when HUD Counselor asks Mom "Do you have any questions" she doesn't say "I don't know what you are talking about.".......I am creating cue cards for her to read.
10. FINAL THOUGHT: I cringe when I go to these nursing home facilities and want so much just to keep Mom at home. I can only hope that there will be some sort of medical emergency that will require hospitalization and then a move to a facility that will care for her in her remaining days. I just don't see that we are going to be able to move her from home to a nursing home directly. With that said, to keep her at home will most likely require additional cost as time goes on. Once she is bed-ridden - or maybe even before that time - we will need skilled care on the weekends at least for a period of time during the day.
Let me know if you have any questions of me or further comments.
Thanks.
Eileen
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2 comments:
Great job. Great update. A lot to think about.
I talked to Visiting Angels the other day to discuss some options. They don't offer skilled nursing care but the women I talked to recommended Interim Health Care, which is the group we had a couple of years ago. She thought, but it was just her guess, that skilled nursing would cost about $20/hour. I'll call Interim to find out how they charge in case we need that for part of the transition.
Also, how is the leg sore doing?
reeeaaaallly! appreciate the work you are doing and the thorough update ... thx so much
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