Last Friday I got a call from the manager of a small senior group home here in Flagstaff. I was given her number by the Hospice group, but I truly do not remember calling her. She heard of our plight and they have an available bed. When I told her about the financial situation, she said she woould call the owner. The owner called me and quoted a private pay rate that we can afford un til ALTCS kicks in. If all goes well, she will move in this week. The place is beautiful, and there are only 4 other residents. It is just around the corner from my job and is easy for dad to get to as well. Hospice will provide her meds, supplies and oxygen, and some care in the facility as well.
I called our ALTCS rep and asked if private pay until ALTCS kicks in would hurt our eligibility and she said no. When I told her some of the things that are going on, she said she was going to move up the medical exam to next Monday. I will be picking up the medical notes, hospice notes and have our PCP complete the paperwork today (I hope). I have the notes from the doctor who tended mom at the respite care and it states "she cannot survive at home", as well as my notes as to how she has declined over the last few months. At her last exam, her O2 was only 87 last week and she is much weaker.
All ff these people hve been amazing to us, and not the cold bureaucracy I was expecting. Truly there are angels among us.
Please continue prayers that this goes well and the ALTCS is accepted.
Hugs
KimW
Wonderful news indeed, Kim. Prayers continue that all continues to go smmothly.
Nora
Keeping my fingers crossed that by the end of the week, your mother will be settled into her new home.
dottie
You, your mom, and Dad are in my prayers.
Anne
Truly there are angels among us.
Indeed there are, Kim, and you, Trevan and your father are three of them, IMO. I'm amazed at the care you three have given your mom, but now she needs more than the family can give, and she really needs to be where she will be supervised by the professionals, just as you all need to know she's in good hands so you can sleep at night.
It will be difficult but it's the very best thing for your mom and for her family.
Hugs,
Marion
It seems the prayers are working,Kim. Now we are just hoping for the best and that all will be resolved soon.
Nancy
la]\\\\=Oops that is from Aja
Mom will be moving in on Wednesday afternoon. Dad and I will take her over and bring some of her clothes. I have been unable to find housedresses but the manager assures me the caregiver will see to it mom has her briefs changed regularly even if she is wearing slacks. Next weekend we will take over her dresser and rocking chair. When we have a chance, we will run down and check the thrift shops in Sedona.
Not sure how to break the news to her, will probably tell her it is a rehab and she has to stay until Wyatt (our PCP) says she can go home.
Kim this is very good news and indeed the angels have been hard at work to make sure everything came together so smoothly for you and your family.
Lori
Is there a KMart or Sears in Flagstaff, Kim? If so you might want to check those stores for housedresses? According to the KMart website they're in stock at your KMart store.
When Perkey, my sis, broke her arm last May we went to KMart and found several dresses that worked for her.
I'm pretty sure they can be ordered online as well, and the prices are reasonable.
No our Kmart closed many years ago. I will check on the closest one, there may be one in Camp Verde.thanks for the tip. Dad was awake most of the night worrying about how it will go today. I told him it would be fine. Mom is no longer the strong forceful personality she was years ago.
I told dad if she gets on okay when we take her over, we will go back for some of her things. Her rocking chair could use some glue first and a good dusting, so that may have to wait for the weekend. We will pick our some photos for her wall, perhaps the collage one she has in the living room. Morgan and Brandon may be coming up this weekend or next, so they will visit her I hope.
I am kind of nervous about moving her oxygen concentrator though. I have a rope and we will tie it down in dads truck really well.
Everything went well and despite mom asking many times how long she had to stay and that she wanted to go home. We left just before they were going to have dinner and some of the other residents were chatting with mom. Dad and I are exausted. Trevan took us out for dinner and I took dad home so he could get some rest.
Kim, all your hard work has finally paid off and your Mother is where she is meant to be, among people who understand her and know how to care for her. I hope you take a deep breath now and try to relax a litte - everything will get done in good time.
I'm so glad that you've found a place for your Mom that is comfortable for you and your Dad,, Kim. We looked at one place for Mom that was not at all what we'd want our Mom in, although it met some fo our criteria. But we were very thankful that a bed became available in our first choice the fastest.
But it's still hard making that move, isn't it? Try now and take some time "just for Kim" and tell your Dad that he needs to do the same thing.
I've updated your Mom for Monday. My experience in geriatric care facilities is that if the other residents draw the new patient in, the move is most often successful, even though it's still stressful for the family. Is it fairly close to you and your Dad?
Huggles and prayers
Marf
The facility is right in the middle of town and fairly easy to get to. Dad and I will go visit today and I will do her nails. She seems to be settling in.
Please pray that the ALTCS medical interview on 3/5 goes well and they accept her. It woud be great if she could stay in this faciliity.
Dad is keeping busy with little projects in the house. Yesterday we moed some furniture and I pulled my hamstring-ouch!
I, too, hope she will be able to stay there.
I remember the first day my brother and I took our mother to her final " home" and the director took her into the dining room to meet her table mates. My brother and I stood in the hallway and watched, hoping that someone would talk with her or smile at her, welcome her and that she would feel comfortable there. It felt like the first time you take your child to kindergarten and hope and pray that it all works out well. (And, it did) It was not easy to walk away and leave her there, but it was the best choice and she did well.
Hoping the same for your mother.
Don't forget to take care of yourself, too.
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