CAREGIVING: There have been a lot of changes around here. I should probably write them down before I disremember them. I got a little sidetracked by those ladybugs trying to find a warm home for the winter (Kathy’s lungs).
First things first.
Kathy is still doing OK. No major changes. Our new visiting nurse feels like everyone is doing a good job. Kathy is still able to say an occasional word or two depending on how clear her throat is. She smiles when I get it right and is able to tell me when she doesn’t feel quite right. Can’t ask for more at this point.
You Can’t Tell the Players Without a Scorecard
We are gradually getting more health aide time. NaviCare, Kathy’s new insurance plan approved the hours. That’s good news. But figuring out the times and schedules has been a challenge. On top of this our aide, Whitney is on vacation for a week or so. Her father is playing baseball in an amateur world series event in Arizona. Pretty cool. While she is gone, Betsy has been filling in for her, but at an earlier time. Britney is getting the new companion care hours. Pat has the same basic schedule except that now it is a more consistent time during the week. This week it was all confusing. I asked Sharon, the coordinator at the agency, to email me a schedule. Then it was actually more confusing for a while until I re-entered it into my google calendar. I sent her a pdf of it to see if I had it right. I haven’t heard back because I believe I confused her. This morning, for example, I had to tell Betsy that Whitney is here for just an hour and a half on Friday. I worry that our aides will not get paid for any extra time they spend with us. They don’t make enough as it is. Betsy called Sharon. Sharon said she “didn’t have a clue. But Peter knows the right amount.” So, on Monday morning I will have my fingers crossed that they will send somebody when they are supposed to.
New Visiting Nurses:
I am not at all opposed to changing Doctors etc. mid-life or mid-disease. You trade familiarity for a new perspective, a new look at your health from heel to head. I’ve never understood what the big stink about “You will be able to keep your own doctor!” was. Get over it. Due to the insurance change, we can’t use anything with the word Baystate in it. So, as much as I liked Baystate VNA, we had to sign up with a different group: Trinity Home Health Care. I like them a lot. Mary Kate, our nursing supervisor, is really great; and what she doesn’t know, she finds a solution; or at least something to try.
Because Kathy breathes through her mouth and doesn’t drink any liquids, her mouth gets really dry. Despite my swabbing with Biotene mouthwash and suctioning, flossing and brushing, she develops a crusty layer of crud on the roof of her mouth. When I do get it out, it resembles a piece of Marty’s Bacon Treats (sorry to be gross). Mary Kate is trying to find a dental hygienist, or dentist that will come to the house. In the meanwhile, she sent me a tube of Biotene mouth moisturizer to try. I had seen it in the drug stores, but thought it was toothpaste. I tried it today, but I got a little too carried away with it, and I had to suction most of it out of Kathy’s mouth. She didn’t seem to care for it. I’ll try using a lighter touch Saturday.
Today another nurse, Nancy came instead of Mary Kate. She was pretty funny. We were joking about how confusing health care is here in Massachusetts. Because of all the social services that are health based, there are multiple nursing layers that have to visit Kathy:
- Trinity Home Care – The visiting nurses.
- Medical Resources – The agency that supplies the health aides sends a nurse every 60 days or so. She checks whether there are any changes and that the aides are doing a good job.
- NaviCare – Robin is part of the care team from our new insurance.
- Greater Springfield Senior Services – has a nurse that makes periodic visits to get approval from MassHealth.
They all have somewhat different responsibilities, but it still seems confusing.
Well, I didn’t get to everything, It is Saturday morning. Kathy needs to be changed, have her meds and moved around. Pat is coming in a few hours to get her dressed. And Marty would like breakfast rather than to be teased. There are so many leaves to be removed that I need to use a snow shovel. More later.