Not Disney related but need help re: amputees

[adisneymama]

Hi, I'm not sure where to turn and thought I would try all you experts here on the Dis.

My grandfather just had his left leg amputated above the knee. This is not something we expected. I have been told that they are going to fit him for a prosthetic, but that of course won't be anytime soon. We have also been told that the state (Alabama) would pay for a lift to be put in a van for him. Both he and my grandmother are on Social Security and Medicare. My grandmother is also in the hospital right now after having a breast removed due to cancer. We really don't know where to begin and I was wondering if any of you would have the answer. Thanks in advance.

 

[spiceycat]

at the hospital there should be a coordinator - might be called a social worker - get in contact with them. they will help you.

when mother was to be release the hospital called me and expected me to take off work for 6 weeks to stay home with her. (yea and who is gone to pay my bills). anyway the hospital contact the doctor (who say I would do this without even contacting me) and the coordinator. She arranged for mother to stay a little longer in the hospital for home health to go into effective as soon as mother went home.

so I would call the hospital first and see who they say you need to contact. with luck that person will call you.

 

[adisneymama]

Thanks for the reply. I'm not sure what is going to happen. I know they say he is recovering as expected and will most likely continue to be in the hospital for the rest of this week. If the wound has healed by then he will go into some type of therapy program before going home. Most of the problem is that I am 8 hrs away and my mother who doesn't have much sense is the one they are all talking to. I'm having to basically scream at her which questions to ask etc. I'm talking common sense questions and she didn't even think of it. (And yes she is this way ALL the time, not just in emergency situations.) I will let my grandmother know to ask about a social worker at the hospital. She will ride my mother until it gets done.

Thanks again!

 

[SueM in MN]

Just adding some pixie dust and agreeing that the Social Worker is the person you/your family need to talk to. It's possibly that particular hospital might have someone else doing discharge coordination, but they do have to have someone and it's usually a Social Worker.
Do you have a way of sending your mom a list of questions to ask - like email or faxing them somewhere? That might help.
Also, if your grandfather requests that you be contacted about discharge plans, the Social Worker can include you too. That way you could make sure all your questions/concerns are answered.

 

[adisneymama]

Thanks Sue. I have been in constant contact with my mother and "telling" her what questions to ask. This is about the best way as she would misplace any "paper" with questions anyway. Plus it is best if she just ask one or two at the time so that she can remember the answer. Gpa has already told the hospital he doesn't care who they release info to, but they have a policy that they have to see you first in person. Since I'm 8 hrs away that isn't going to happen.

Gpa is doing better. He is in much better spirits and he has had a lot of visitors. Talked to him a little while ago and he was telling me all about his visitors and phone calls this morning and said "It's just been one thing after another!". So the visits have been good for him.

Anyway, thanks for the input. I knew I could count on those here at the Dis!
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[SueM in MN]

Thanks Sue. I have been in constant contact with my mother and "telling" her what questions to ask. This is about the best way as she would misplace any "paper" with questions anyway. Plus it is best if she just ask one or two at the time so that she can remember the answer.

You might be able to fax or email some questions directly to the Social Worker and ask her to respond in writing if you need to.

Gpa has already told the hospital he doesn't care who they release info to, but they have a policy that they have to see you first in person. Since I'm 8 hrs away that isn't going to happen.

I'm not sure that their 'we need to see you in person first' policy would be legal; if you are someone that your Gpa wants them to communicate with, I don't think they have the option of demanding you come there.
I work in the same department as the Social Workers and Utilization review people in the hospital where I work (I'm not a Social Worker, I am an Infection Control Specialist). I know that we are frequently talking to people by phone. For some people, requiring them to meet staff first in person would be a great hardship and not fair to the patient or family (besides being discriminatory).

Gpa is doing better. He is in much better spirits and he has had a lot of visitors. Talked to him a little while ago and he was telling me all about his visitors and phone calls this morning and said "It's just been one thing after another!". So the visits have been good for him.

Anyway, thanks for the input. I knew I could count on those here at the Dis!
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Glad to hear he is doing better!

Also, some things I just thought of - if you want to be included in the discharge planning, he needs to tell the Social Worker that. Saying he doesn't care who they talk to just means they will tell you thingd like that he had a good day, etc. They won't include you in the planning unless he tells them to.

 

[adisneymama]

Sorry I'm just now getting back with you. Apparently, the rule is widespread over AL. Anyway, Gpa has been moved to the rehab unit. He starts therapy today in fact. I'm not as worried about not getting information now as I have a friend who works there and told me she will find out anything I need to know. So that is a relief! Anyway, they are optimistic that they can rehab him enough that he can go home and not to a nursing home. So we will see what the next 14 days brings! Keep the p & PD coming please!