As the days go by and the incidents increase in number, and instead of repeating myself to each of you, I decided to start a new Blog with periodic updates about Gramma and her day to day issues, complications, and routine. To get all of you up to date I will list some things to help you understand just where we are so far.
She has several physical issues:
Congestive Heart Failure
Type II Diabetes
Coronary Artery Disease
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Spinal Arthritis
Hyper-Tension
High Cholesterol
IBS/Lactose Intolerance
Sleep Apnea
Each of these comes with a specific diet and the diets are not compatible, so you can imagine the fun we have at meal times.
She has been on the hospice/palliative care program since the end of March because of her CHF, and has just been re-confirmed that it is necessary. We opt to be with the program for her CHF only. All other maladies and concerns are still taken care of by her Primary Care Doctor , Dr. Adeyemo. It is a bit of a balancing act, keeping these things separate. Dr. Adey is not allowed to attend to anything pertaining to her heart. This is a new concept with the Hospice program, that we are allowed to use it for only part of her care.
The benefits far outweigh the annoyances. The annoyances being Hospice’s focus on Comfort Only and the end of life mind set, and my grasp of the difference between corrective and preventive. Her Congestive Heart Failure qualifies her for the Federally funded program since it is considered a terminal disease, and all that it includes and doesn’t necessarily mean that she is in departure mode. A person can legally be on Hospice for years. She has had a DNR in place for a long time so this is not a problem. She doesn't want any life-saving measures.
The benefits are that she receives weekly visits from a registered nurse who checks her vitals, refills her prescriptions, does a complete check-up, answers our questions, and discusses with us the changes that need to be made. The nurse also arranges for any additional services, medications, blood work or procedures needed. She has a home health aide come for bathing twice a week, a massage therapist once a month, a social worker who makes sure we are happy with the service, daily access to a Geriatric Dr., and 24 hour access to a medical professional. She has been provided with a hospital bed and electric gel-pac bed pad, an oxygen concentrator, several bottles of portable oxygen, an arbuterol vaporizer, unlimited diaper supply, and all medications relating to her CHF, comfort, depression, sleep, and pain management.
I'm really glad you decided to do this. It'll be nice to "see" how Grandma's doing.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you get so much help from Hospice, you cannot do it all and having the help benefits you both.
I love and miss both of you!
Thank-you for the update. This is a great idea. So many have asked how mom is doing and I always say, "the last time I talked to her..." which doesn't really give me any clue as to her medical condition(s).
ReplyDelete