an article on overmedication of seniors (OT)

Hey Jill,
This is possibly pertinent to you:


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27645077/

Christine

Christine Burel wrote:
Hey Jill,
This is possibly pertinent to you:


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27645077/

Christine


Very good article, thank you. She's coming home tomorrow. I was rather
surprised. Initially they wanted to discharge her tomorrow. But after our
meeting last Friday they said they wanted more time to evaluate her progress
with the physical therapy, etc. Well, a short while ago the social worker
called and basically said they're kicking her out tomorrow. She can either
go into the only nursing home in the area (which probably wouldn't be be
covered by Medicare unless she made significant progress with her physical
therapy while there) or I can bring her home. I'm bringing her home.

Since her doctor had already arranged for hospice nurses to come in to help
me out during the day I've gotten that ball rolling again. Obviously he
doesn't think she'll live another 6 months. Medicare will pay for it. If
she lives more than 6 months I'll just have to pay for the care myself. I'm
not sure if her secondary insurance (TriCare for Life which is for military
retirees and their dependent spouses) will pay for any of it or not.

At least once she's out of the hospital she won't be on those 9 different
prescriptions anymore. She'll be back down to the three he said was all she
needed. And she'll be in a familiar setting. MAYBE she won't be so
confused.

Since the tests she was admitted for in the first place were negative I'm
kicking myself for even sending her to the hospital. I have no idea what
she'll be like when she does come home tomorrow.

Jill

On Nov 17, 11:54�am, "jmcquown" wrote:
Christine Burel wrote:
Hey Jill,
This is possibly pertinent to you:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27645077/

Christine

Very good article, thank you. �She's coming home tomorrow. �I was rather
surprised. �Initially they wanted to discharge her tomorrow. �But after our
meeting last Friday they said they wanted more time to evaluate her progress
with the physical therapy, etc. �Well, a short while ago the social worker
called and basically said they're kicking her out tomorrow. �She can either
go into the only nursing home in the area (which probably wouldn't be be
covered by Medicare unless she made significant progress with her physical
therapy while there) or I can bring her home. �I'm bringing her home.

Since her doctor had already arranged for hospice nurses to come in to help
me out during the day I've gotten that ball rolling again. �Obviously he
doesn't think she'll live another 6 months. �Medicare will pay for it. �If
she lives more than 6 months I'll just have to pay for the care myself. �I'm
not sure if her secondary insurance (TriCare for Life which is for military
retirees and their dependent spouses) will pay for any of it or not.

At least once she's out of the hospital she won't be on those 9 different
prescriptions anymore. �She'll be back down to the three he said was all she
needed. �And she'll be in a familiar setting. �MAYBE she won't be so
confused.

Since the tests she was admitted for in the first place were negative I'm
kicking myself for even sending her to the hospital. �I have no idea what
she'll be like when she does come home tomorrow.

Jill

Jill, I think you are correct that in a familiar setting your mom will
improve better. I hope
you're able to get enough help in the home. It is so hard. Harder than
I ever thought it
could be. You may be better equipped for it than I was; I hope so.

IIRC, at the end of the six months' of hospice, the patient is re-
evaluated and it seems like
I remember they can be approved for another six months. I am not sure
about that.
Hope things go *very well.*

Sherry

In article ,
"jmcquown" wrote:

snip

Since her doctor had already arranged for hospice nurses to come in to help
me out during the day I've gotten that ball rolling again. Obviously he
doesn't think she'll live another 6 months. Medicare will pay for it. If
she lives more than 6 months I'll just have to pay for the care myself. I'm
not sure if her secondary insurance (TriCare for Life which is for military
retirees and their dependent spouses) will pay for any of it or not.

The Dowager has also run out of money, as of this month. As of next
month, bureaucrats willing, she goes on MedicAid - and remains in the
nursing home. You might check that option out - but be sure to talk to
a lawyer specializing in Elder Care, if you can afford it. If not, a
nursing home may have someone who can help you handle the
legal/financial mess.

snip

Blessed be,
Baird

--
Timefor a new .sig line, I guess....

Baird Stafford wrote:
In article ,
"jmcquown" wrote:

snip

Since her doctor had already arranged for hospice nurses to come in
to help me out during the day I've gotten that ball rolling again.
Obviously he doesn't think she'll live another 6 months. Medicare
will pay for it. If she lives more than 6 months I'll just have to
pay for the care myself. I'm not sure if her secondary insurance
(TriCare for Life which is for military retirees and their dependent
spouses) will pay for any of it or not.

The Dowager has also run out of money, as of this month. As of next
month, bureaucrats willing, she goes on MedicAid - and remains in the
nursing home. You might check that option out - but be sure to talk
to a lawyer specializing in Elder Care, if you can afford it. If
not, a nursing home may have someone who can help you handle the
legal/financial mess.

snip

Blessed be,
Baird


Thanks. Medicaid isn't an option for her. Even if I transferred all her
money into my personal bank account they check her bank records going back
three years. I'm bringing her home, anyway. I did confirm she can be
recertified by her doctor for in home hospice care for another 6 months if
it comes to that.

Jill

Jill