Fri/Wednesday

Dad had another good PT session last Friday, as well as today. Lucinda mentioned last week that PT, per Medicare guidelines was about to run out...she indicated last Friday that he probably only had one more week, but then when I pressed her, said she could probably do two more weeks. The burden is apparently to be able to show that what she is doing in PT that can't be done with caregivers and others at home. This week we scheduled today and Friday.

Haydee was there last Saturday morning and Tuesday and reported Dad was taking walks with her and doing better. She said that yesterday he was getting up to walk with just her help. Anna worked Sunday-Wednesday morning (7-11am) and today told me that Dad has been walking with her and also doing the leg exercises (counting up to 100 at times, though not always doing the exercises.) SHe said that the mornings are getting better but it is still a little difficult to get him to get to the edge of the bed. Al chimed in that he is not complaining much anymore or shouting out when doing it. They have also been using the lift to get him into bed at night to ensure he is positioned well on the bed (as he won't scoot himself).

Today, at PT, Lucinda wanted to see how Dad got in/out of bed, so we walked to his room (and he did quite well), and then he sat on the edge of the bed. With the head of the bed raised, we prompted and assisted having him lie his head down and lift his legs up to rest on the bed. He did a tad adjusting, but he was too close to the outside edge of the bed, and we couldn't prompt him to bend his legs and try to lift his butt to slide over. It took more assistance to then get him up, (partially because I think he was too comfortable on the bed!), but again, with assistance, we helped move his legs to the floor and help him sit forward to get to the edge of the bed. He continues to show good strength and motivation in doing the sit to stands. Lucinda wants to try this sequence again on Friday. Obviously, he does it each morning as well.

We also talked about being proactive with some sort of bed alarm. Janice mentioned that for another resident (in another house) they have a floor mat type alarm that goes off when it is stepped on. THis might be better than something on the bed, which might be more prone to go off with irregular movements...does anyone have any thoughts on this? The cost of the floor mat type might be around $200, which I think would be well worth it to hopefully help prevent a fall in the future. Al sleeps just outside of Dad's room (on the couch in the living room), so could be there quickly. I think, if Dad continues to get stronger, it is inevitable that he will return to this pattern of getting up without assistance, and this is the best thing I can think of to help prevent a fall.

One of Haydee's days became available, so I am now planning to use her on Thursday morns (7-11), Saturday morns (7-11) and Tuesday afternoons. Anna is working Sun-Wednesday morns, 7-11. During these hours, they are assisting with the morning routine, doing PT exercises and walking, taking him outside when possible and providing companionship. I think offering the extra care (including the PT) has also been valuable from the perspective of Al and Juana perhaps not feeling quite as overwhelmed and also being able to see how the additional care has been so effective for Dad. This is all conjecture on my part, but I definitely feel good about what appears to be everyone's show of support and team effort in helping Dad to recover from this, including having a better understanding of Dad's moods and how best to deal with them constructively.

My family has a trip to Maui planned right after school is out (June 10-20) to celebrate Paul's niece's high school graduation. It is my intent to maintain the extra help as described above at least until after I return. Dad has a doctor's appointment with the Ortho surgeon on Friday, June 4th.