Home health care

[zeferjen]

Hi - I am new to this forum, but not to the Dis. My father has COPD and is currently in the hospital. We are told that he is in the final stages of his illness and will likely never get much better. He also has a very weak heart and diabetes. Managing the three has been very challenging and it seems like something is always going wrong.

The social worker has told my mother that they need to plan for where he will go once he is discharged. The options are the VA (dad is a veteran) or to set him up at home. My mother is inclined to bring him home, although she is also frail health-wise and cannot physically do much to help my father.

Given the above, does anyone have any advice on how we can make it work to have him at home? To further complicate things, I live 7 hours away, although my sister still lives close by. I am trying to do my best to help while I am so far away.

Thanks all.

zeferjen

 

[mommasita]

Hi and welcome, although it isn't under the best of circumstances.
I'm sorry to hear about your Dad.

This is rather tough, being so far away, and your Mom not 100% herself. Do you think she could get by with only your sister's help? Is there perhaps a possibility of any nurse coming by, if only once or so per week?

We lost our Aunt last year, and our province has a nurse that can come by. She used to come 2x per week, and more if we needed. ..


Thinking of you and your family..

 

[zeferjen]

Thanks! My sister actually went to visit the VA today and it looks like that may be a good option for us. I hope that works out because it will take a lot of pressure off of my mother.

 

[lovemygoofy]

Talk to your dad's everyday doctor. He/she should be able to write "prescriptions" for home healthcare. Talk to your parent's insurance to see what will be covered.

You should have some sort of senior center of aging or something simliar that can be a great resource. Also hospice can explain every single detail of how they can help. Hospice is not just for end stage but can help at home for your mom and dad.

Depending on how "bad" your dad and mom are you can get a health aide which can do simple chores around the house and be assigned a actual nurse that will come as often as needed.

If your dad does go home, does he have all the equipment that is needed? Can he walk? Does he need a wheelchair or walker? What about toilets and shower seats? You can rent alot of hospital equipment and again covered by insurance or VA.

Talk to everyone around you especially medical providers and nursing homes or people at a senior center.