CAREGIVING: On Thursday Bob our new physical therapist came with a wheelchair expert named John to assess and hopefully get us a new chair for Kathy. The idea will be to convince Medicare, MassHealth (Medicaid) and probably Health New England (her Medicare Advantage plan) that it is a necessary piece of equipment due to her Huntington’s Disease. Best case is… Read more →
Tag: VNA
Food for thought – Ramping it up
CAREGIVING: On Monday I was supposed to take Kathy to the dentist for a cleaning but I cancelled it. I just couldn’t go through the transfer problems I have had when we get back home. She just can’t go up those few stairs any more. But over the weekend I ordered an inexpensive ramp from Harbor Freight to get her up… Read more →
The Way It Is
CAREGIVING: This afternoon Jennifer from Greater Springfield Senior Services (GSSSI) visited to talk about how things were going and to line up more help for Kathy. I had just hung up the phone with Louis & Clark, the medical supply firm that had provided the transport chair. They were having trouble getting reimbursed from Health New England (Kathy’s Medicare Advantage insurance)… Read more →
Help, Help Me Jennifer
CAREGIVING: I remember back when Kathy was getting help from the VNA and health aides from the two agencies, I joked that “The cavalry had arrived.” I was worried about parking logistics during the winter. Should I finally get a snow blower? Should I park my car at the neighbor’s house? At the beginning, we had two nursing visits a… Read more →
Bidin’ My Time
CAREGIVING / MUSIC: Hump day doesn’t mean a lot when you are doing what I’m doing. Part of you is fairly content. The week is going along. There’s a bit of paying work to do. But when things get frustrating you become impatient with the patient. Impatient with time in general. With not knowing what is going to happen next.… Read more →
Time Flies
CAREGIVING: It seems like another week has slipped by but maybe that’s a good thing. No major calamities but there is always stuff to work on. I installed another grab bar in the living room. And I put away the rest of the Christmas stuff. One important thing is I’ll be adjusting Kathy’s meds this week. I always keep a… Read more →
Out in the cold
CAREGIVING: As expected our services from the VNA stopped this week. Melissa’s last visit came Tuesday morning when she gave Kathy her shower and Brooke came that afternoon. Next week I’ll call Greater Springfield Seniors to see if we can get more help. I’m just not sure what will help the most. I’ve been a little overwhelmed by everything lately,… Read more →