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#31
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Mom Update 11/19/08 Oops!
"Bridget" wrote in
: They are greatly heartfelt. There was no way I could do the intensive care you are doing for you mother for my father before he died. I did do everything I could to make him comfortable. We had regular lunch dates and I always brought things he liked just because I knew he would. They let him have a cat which was one of his saving graces and prolonged his life more than medicine I believe. But the care you have given your mother both before this accident and after is nothing short of dedicated. It really is something most people don't have within them to do. As John said, you are my hero. I look forward each day to the updates to know how you and your mother are doing. It lets me know exactly what prayers to pray for you when I do my evening prayers. Last night, it was that you and your mom would get some reasonable sleep. I know you have had some long days, and I know you have long days ahead of you. Hang tight. And always know there are people here who are supportive of you and the care you are giving your mother. Some of us with more experience than others about things you can look for. People have had some excellent ideas for your mom and you have been incredibly receptive to all kinds of ideas in a tough time. I am also glad you have the support of a really good hospice program. They sound very helpful and supportive. Even if no one in your family is saying it, I will. You are doing a great job. I don't think anyone could do any better. Bridget Jill i second that from bridget,YOU GO GIRL |
#32
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Mom Update 11/19/08 Oops!
"jmcquown" wrote in message ... MaryL wrote: "hopitus" wrote in message ... On Nov 19, 11:58 am, "Jofirey" wrote: "jmcquown" wrote in message ... If you do go the hospital bed route....this is what many places caring for disabled elderly patients use,not only for sitting, eatng meals in, tv viewing, and most important - sliding patient easily in "full recline" mode from chair to bed (vital: chair *must* have wheels *locked* for this feat!). Their cost IMHO would make renting one a better option. Not recommendng this online sto just for the pic of the chair: http://www.southwestmedical.com/Whee...ecliner/3442p0 That's a geri-chair, and I bought one for my mother. Medicare covered most of the cost of an electric bed (which is an *enormous* help both for the patient and for those who are helping the patient), but it did not cover the cost of the geri-chair. I paid several hundred dollars for it, and it was well worth the cost. However, they are *very large* and *cumbersome* -- so, they are difficult to use in a private home. MaryL Since she's under hospice care they will rent the hospital bed (if/when we go that route) and it's covered 100%. All the supplies are. Not a nifty chair like that, though Her bedroom is around a very tight corner. (I'm not even sure how they'll get a hospital bed in there unless they come unassembled!) I doubt this chair would be workable if indeed she ever actually gets out of bed again. She also doesn't like to sit up. She weighs *maybe* 80 lbs so she's got no meat left on her butt; her tailbone gets sore very quickly. But thanks for the info and support, Mary. It's appreciated! Oh, and to Jo, of all the things hospice *should* provide (since they provide the diapers) they won't provide a diaper pail! Jill Yes, the hospital bed will probably come disassembled, if you decide to go that route. At least, Mother's did. I also got a very nice "potty chair" for her. Just like what you said about hospice, Medicare did not cover that. Ironically, Medicare did not cover basic safety equipment like the padded "arms" I had attached to her toilet (that was before the potty chair) and the chair for the bathtub since she would not have been able to get out of the bottom of the tub, and I would not have been able to lift her. I said "ironically" because Medicare will not cover a lot of safety equipment that is designed to prevent a fall, but it will cover damages suffered *after* a fall (and that is far more expensive). I bought everything she needed, but a lot of people simply can't afford it. The geri-chair was wonderful for my mother. She could be wheeled around in it in a semi-reclined position. However, I bought that when she was in the nursing home. It simply would not have been practical in my own home. Two wheels are "fixed" and only two turn, so it is a very cumbersome device to maneuver. All of the nursing homes already have geri-chairs, but the one I bought was better quality and had better padding. Incidentally, be sure to check into what the regulations are for your hospice. In some areas, a patient is permitted only to have palliative care after hospice enters the picture and not any medication or care intended to "cure." Hospice is wonderful, but the reason behind that procedure -- as I understand it -- is that hospice is really intended for those who are terminal. You may already be aware of this, but I was not until I broached the idea of hospice with our doctor. So, I decided against hospice at that time. Mother was in a nursing home by the time we got toward the end ofo her life, and she was receiving everything there that hospice could provide. But I really do think hospice is a wonderful service for those who are at home, as long as you are aware of what I just said. (And it may not even be true for hospice in your area -- you would need to check into that for yourself.) MaryL |
#33
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Mom Update 11/19/08 Oops!
"jmcquown" wrote in message ... Since she's under hospice care they will rent the hospital bed (if/when we go that route) and it's covered 100%. All the supplies are. Not a nifty chair like that, though Her bedroom is around a very tight corner. (I'm not even sure how they'll get a hospital bed in there unless they come unassembled!) I doubt this chair would be workable if indeed she ever actually gets out of bed again. She also doesn't like to sit up. She weighs *maybe* 80 lbs so she's got no meat left on her butt; her tailbone gets sore very quickly. But thanks for the info and support, Mary. It's appreciated! Oh, and to Jo, of all the things hospice *should* provide (since they provide the diapers) they won't provide a diaper pail! Hospital beds come unassembled, one of the things the delivery people are "supposed" to do is put the bed together and make sure it is working correctly. They also make memory-foam padded seats for those who are in wheel chairs (one of our friends has one) and those are wonder for those who cannot use regular contoured chairs (I've been thinking of getting myself one). Our friend swears by hers. We bought a garbage can with a foot pedal and lined it with plastic garbage bags when Rob was in need. I think it cost us about $30 at Wal-mart. A plain (if you can find one) children's diaper pail should also work. Since Rob rarely needed depends, the garbage can worked best for us. If you do have to go with a hospital bed, standard twin sheets work on them. We tried to find the ones with the elastic around all four sides of the bottom sheet (hard to tell by the labels) as they fit better without being pulled off by movement. We also went with cheap sheets from Wal-mart as we knew that they would be a short term item. Mike is currently using them on his bed in Florida. Pam S who also wants to help if she can |
#34
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Mom Update 11/19/08 Oops!
"jmcquown" wrote in message ... tanadashoes wrote: "hopitus" wrote in message ... If you do go the hospital bed route....this is what many places caring for disabled elderly patients use,not only for sitting, eatng meals in, tv viewing, and most important - sliding patient easily in "full recline" mode from chair to bed (vital: chair *must* have wheels *locked* for this feat!). Their cost IMHO would make renting one a better option. Not recommendng this online sto just for the pic of the chair: http://www.southwestmedical.com/Whee...ecliner/3442p0 That is what they had in my room when I was in the hospital. The only problem I had was that my legs were too short for the chair. Pam S. Mom's only 5'1" Jill I'm only two inches taller, but my torso is long for my height. Mandy says that I T-rex arms and short little leggies. She's a stinker. Pam S. |
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