Has anyone here had some experience caring for a loved one after an ankle fracture and surgery to fix the break? This will be done on an outpatient basis, so we will be caring for her at our home for the 6 week recovery period (possibly longer). Any tips on medical supplies, etc to make this as seamless as possible? I.e., grip for getting out of bed; shower seat; what type of wheelchair? She has tried a walker a few days into the fracture and that isn't going well, so we're looking into wheelchairs and the knee roller. Thanks in advance for any input!
Poor mother - how is she feeling about all this? While it's true that it's lucky this happened when there were people about, it can be hard to see that sort of silver lining when you were so looking forward to a nice Christmas with your family :(
This is not a venture for amateurs. Please get professional advice!
I assume she is eligible for doctor PT. Take advantage of it.
So if the person did NOT have a relative willing to be their personal care attendant after the surgery (as Noviceatthis is going to be), then what happens to the person? Wouldn't they be an "unsafe discharge" to their home if they lived alone? Or because it's outpatient surgery, the "unsafe discharge" issue doesn't exist, as that is only applicable to a hospitalization?
Medicare's home health care isn't that extensive. My mother had her aortic valve replaced three years ago (at age 88). She had the newer TAVR (not open-heart). She got a nurse (LPN) who came in every few days at first and OT and PT. The rest of the time she was on her own (she did quite well; I had to stay with her for the first two days only).
So I don't understand what happens to people who don't have free in-home (relatives) support. Is it up to them to hire caregivers? (And what if they can't afford that?)
But what should happen vs what actually does happen is another story. And as you say, PT/OT at this time may not be Good utilization of resources.
Let us know how your mother’s surgery went & if any resources were offered to you so we can learn from this.
Hope everything went well!
I have no idea why this is outpatient surgery, but that's the reality. So has anyone had a situation in which Medicare covers home health after outpatient procedures? Even if it's not extensive, any help would be welcome...I plan to ask and then am prepared to look for some help (private pay) if necessary. Even though we are taking her in, I will need a break every once in a while.
I would be in touch with her primary care physician TODAY about these issues, what can be scripted. The hospital where she is going to have the surgery should have a social worker on staff who can help you navigate this.
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