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 →
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 →
It all Depends on the day
UPDATE: I just thought I should update that, as predicted, today was a little better than Friday. The new health aide that will be giving Kathy showers on weekends came to get acquainted. Her name is Pat and she has actually had some work experience with Huntington’s Disease. A nurse named George came to set up the care plan for Pat.… Read more →
Fried day
CAREGIVING: I should really be balancing my checkbook. And I have a song that is ready to be recorded. But today, I felt a little frustrated taking care of Kathy, and I feel guilty because I know I was whining about it. As Huntington’s Disease advances, the body stops cooperating. Today, was one of those days — tomorrow will probably be better.… Read more →
A Care Plan for Kathy
CAREGIVING: It has been over a week and a half since my last blurb and a lot has happened. A lot is the same too. Random falls and close calls. Design work and lots of laundry. Last Monday Hope came to give Kathy her shower. We were waiting for a nurse from the same agency to come and create a… Read more →
Hope
CAREGIVING: One of our new aides, Hope came this morning. Monday was her first visit to give Kathy a shower and get her dressed. Today, she stayed for three hours of companion care and did some cleaning after getting Kathy ready. She sat with Kathy while I worked on a newsletter project in my actual office, upstairs. It was nice… Read more →
April Falls Day
CAREGIVING: Well, we had another episode of buckling today. I thought I had it all figured out: how to get Kathy out into the car and back into the house using the wheelchair. We had to go pick up some prescriptions at Stop & Shop and since it was really nice out I thought I would go today and bring… Read more →