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She may have been told to encourage her husband to be independent. If she had home therapists come over after the first fall, they probably stressed the need to walk more to strengthen the muscles and help the lungs circulate the oxygen to avoid pneumonia and other diseases. They also stressed the need to let hem continue with the daily activities as much as he can for his mental well-being. We tried that. We had a second fall which broke the public bone and required a much longer recovery period of 6 to 9 months. She's now back to where she can use a walker but I have to repeatedly tell her to call me so I can provide gait support and a backup chair. You still have to expect that there will be more falls regardless. At least the wheelchair or the transport chair cuts the distance down to about 12 inches.
Thank you, Ichoro. I'm not sure how he'll be when he gets out of rehab, especially after I spoke to my stepmom today.
Although he doesn't know it yet, my father is going into assisted living after he gets through rehab. My stepmom just can't take it anymore - the falls in the middle of the night, calling 911, sitting in the hospital waiting for news, etc. I can't say I blame her; I'll support any decision she makes. She has been through all kinds of Hell with my dad for the past ten years.
Being in assisted living with help him a lot, but I think he can only stay for 90 days on Medicare. Then he would have to start paying from his assets, if he has any. At least that is what happened with my Dad, although if there is a spouse living in the home (which is their case there is), the house would not be included in assets. Each state is different so it's worth looking into to make sure you know ahead of time what to expect.
I was single and living in California when my dad had a massive stroke and had to go to a nursing home for care, tube feeding etc., and he was there for 8 years.
Last edited by loveautumn; 01-03-2015 at 03:09 PM..
Reason: add information
They have some money, but they're certainly not millionaires. He has only 33 covered days left on Medicare; then they're paying. My stepmom is still living in their house, which is fully paid for.
This has me wondering about my own situation in 25 or 30 years... I wonder how much a long term care policy would cost for a 51-year-old female who doesn't smoke?
I know some people who would be admitted for 90 days, then be released back home for awhile and then be readmitted again (if it was necessary). Once the patient leaves the facility, they can go back again and the clock starts over. But as I recall if the patient leaves, the spouse would have to guarantee that he has a certain amount of care (sometimes 24 hours) or they won't release them.
I know what you mean about our own care...I think about it too and I'm a lot older than you are.
At 51 you probably could get a reasonable LT care policy, probably worth looking into. Being around assisted living/nursing homes is a real eye opener unless one can afford one of those luxury facilities, which I sure can't!
Problem with the readmissions is that Medicare is really looking hard at these, especially hospital readmissions. It has been a while but my wife's mother had to sign over her SS and retirement income, giving her a monthly allowance for small stuff after exhausting her bank account.
[quote]I wonder how much a long term care policy would cost for a 51-year-old female who doesn't smoke? [quote]
NOT TO HIJAK THE THREAD - JUST TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF COST
Quotes vary by state. I got some for me. some for age 53, others 54. I told my advisor the riders and coverage I wanted -- BUT also keep it to about 200.00 a month. So show me what I can get for that amount.
-- Policies are 3 years, 90 day elimination period (meaning they won't pay for the first 90 days)
-- All pay for at home or facility care -- here are some:
STAND ALONE POLICIES:
If my math is correct those work out to about $110, $87, $85 and $150 a day.
LIFE/LTC HYBRIDS: with extended care rider for LTC
AGE......POLICY MAX ....MAX Monthly Benefit........Monthly Premium
54........250,000.............$5,000.............. ..........$250.50
54........250,000.............$4,920.............. ..........$236.00
I hada cousin who wanted coverage at 65. His quotes were more than 300.00 a month.
As of now, I've made the decision to self insure.
My stepmom is a wonderful woman, but I don't think she understands that he needs to be in a wheelchair. She hesitates to say or do anything that would threaten his independence and dignity, but maybe this time I can get through to her.
By the way, he's still on the feeding tube although he's able to eat a little bit (not enough for the nutrition he needs).
I'm crossing my fingers that he'll come through the surgery, and that he'll be okay for our visit. I'm afraid that he really needs either full-time care or to be in an assisted living facility. There are no great choices.
This isn't exactly my expertise but ....
Well nobody is going to make him stay in bed or a wheelchair if he doesn't want to. Only pain may work.
The downside is the risk of pressure sores so there's that....
Did they send Home Health Agency people to the house the LAST time? To manage the tube and to continue his rehab/OT and stuff?
He may or may not qualify for an ALF with the tube and depending on his level of mobility so you may need to start shopping around now because they are few and far between IME. OR he'll have to have the HHA come at home if cost is a factor. With the tube you probably have to pay an HHA anyway to go to an ALF to do the feeding/cleaning/monitoring etc.
Runswithscissors, my stepmom and dad did have Home Health Care provide help when my dad was discharged from rehab last time, on December 30th, because my stepmom said although they tried to show her how to flush out the feeding tube, she couldn't manage it.
She has been looking into ALFs and said she found a good one not too far away, but it costs a lot - $5,000/month. They can manage it financially for a while, but not too long.
Apparently my dad is still having some trouble swallowing; all of his food needs to be pureed. That's why he still has the feeding tube, of course.
Thank you for the link; I'll be sure to read it when I have a moment (I'm flying to Florida today, back on Friday).
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They can manage it financially for a while, but not too long.
