Saturday, June 30, 2007
bodybag
Let's see. Today has been fun so far.
I met my father at the hospital to help transport my mother to the rehab. They had moved her to a different room last night because she was no longer eligible for the cardiac floor. In doing that she lost one of her hearing aids. Now she can barely hear with two of them. And they cost thousands of dollars!
I get to follow up with risk management on that one.
We had originally ordered a wheelchair van but my father said we could do it. And then of course that I didn't need to come. Well. He just can't and it is just so evident that he is failing too but he won't admit it.
I followed my father in my car. I know there are lots of lousy drivers out there who are not 88 but I do hold my breath the whole time especially when he took such a circuitous route.
So this place, Stella Maris, is part of Catholic Charities. I tell you those catholics were really smart. They bought lots of land years and years ago in what is now a very pricey part of the county and they keep putting up facilities. They have a school and residence for troubled kids (Michael mentors a child there), a residence for really emotionally damaged kids, a rehab, independent living for seniors, assisted living, a long term care facility, an alzheimers facility. Yeah they are tending to the needy but it looks to me like they are making a pretty penny on it too.
The place is actually much better than the in-hospital rehab. I had forgotten that that unit is set up for short term stays. Usually two weeks. I felt the first time my mother wasn't quite ready to leave. As I was filling out paperwork that reminded me of settling on a house, the admissions director was upfront about how medicare pays for 20 days and then her insurance kicks in. It seemed much more upfront than the dealings I had with the other rehab.
I guess my father could have done the paperwork that took a half hour after I had to wait 15 minutes for her to finish with someone else but he would have gotten so agitated, not understood it, etc. I am happy to do it. I just wish he would appreciate it....
Anyhoo, while this took up a good part of my Saturday I think she will get better and longer care here.
My mother kept thinking we were just visiting. I had to keep telling her she was staying there for a while until she could walk again. She would then ask if my father was in agreement on this. Like I could make a decision like this without his approval. a hahahahahah
As we were going down the hall to her room, I noticed that a guy was on an elevator with a gurney and talking to another guy and yes, someone was in a bodybag on the gurney. Lovely. The admissions director said that it was a hospice patient.
It is amazing how one minute you are a person and the next you are just something in a bag.
All these old people. In such sorry states of affairs. Nope. I am gonna have a plan. Luckily I believe in reincarnation so when life gets to the point of pure survival ... I am outta here.
And so it goes ...
I met my father at the hospital to help transport my mother to the rehab. They had moved her to a different room last night because she was no longer eligible for the cardiac floor. In doing that she lost one of her hearing aids. Now she can barely hear with two of them. And they cost thousands of dollars!
I get to follow up with risk management on that one.
We had originally ordered a wheelchair van but my father said we could do it. And then of course that I didn't need to come. Well. He just can't and it is just so evident that he is failing too but he won't admit it.
I followed my father in my car. I know there are lots of lousy drivers out there who are not 88 but I do hold my breath the whole time especially when he took such a circuitous route.
So this place, Stella Maris, is part of Catholic Charities. I tell you those catholics were really smart. They bought lots of land years and years ago in what is now a very pricey part of the county and they keep putting up facilities. They have a school and residence for troubled kids (Michael mentors a child there), a residence for really emotionally damaged kids, a rehab, independent living for seniors, assisted living, a long term care facility, an alzheimers facility. Yeah they are tending to the needy but it looks to me like they are making a pretty penny on it too.
The place is actually much better than the in-hospital rehab. I had forgotten that that unit is set up for short term stays. Usually two weeks. I felt the first time my mother wasn't quite ready to leave. As I was filling out paperwork that reminded me of settling on a house, the admissions director was upfront about how medicare pays for 20 days and then her insurance kicks in. It seemed much more upfront than the dealings I had with the other rehab.
I guess my father could have done the paperwork that took a half hour after I had to wait 15 minutes for her to finish with someone else but he would have gotten so agitated, not understood it, etc. I am happy to do it. I just wish he would appreciate it....
Anyhoo, while this took up a good part of my Saturday I think she will get better and longer care here.
My mother kept thinking we were just visiting. I had to keep telling her she was staying there for a while until she could walk again. She would then ask if my father was in agreement on this. Like I could make a decision like this without his approval. a hahahahahah
As we were going down the hall to her room, I noticed that a guy was on an elevator with a gurney and talking to another guy and yes, someone was in a bodybag on the gurney. Lovely. The admissions director said that it was a hospice patient.
It is amazing how one minute you are a person and the next you are just something in a bag.
All these old people. In such sorry states of affairs. Nope. I am gonna have a plan. Luckily I believe in reincarnation so when life gets to the point of pure survival ... I am outta here.
And so it goes ...
