Hospital Hints -

Welcome to those of you who have an elderly parent or loved one in the hospital due to a fracture, infection, pneumonia, bronchitis, cardiac problem, or the many chronic illnesses and issues I haven't thought of or experienced.  Maybe it's your first experience with your parent or loved one in the hospital for something really serious.  

• Your parent or loved one may have been living independently at home or at an independent living facility, inpatient rehabilitation facility, skilled nursing facility, assisted living facility, or long term care...  These stages along with your parent's condition can become like the game "checkers"..  Your parent can double jump surprisingly from one stage to two or three stages ahead.  They can go from living independently in their home to requiring skilled nursing, rehabilitation, or assisted living....
• 
  
• Don't be caught off guard regarding this reality.   Use the time you have now, while your loved one is in the hospital, to research the next step.   First of all, make it your business to "make friends" with the discharge planner for your loved one.  This person is GOD and more important than the doctor.  He or she will know how long your loved one is approved to stay in the hospital.  It is his or her job to find a "place" for them...  Your loved one or parent is one more name to check off of their clip board.    If you aren't proactive about this, your parent or loved one could end up in a really bad, stinky place, sharing a room with a stranger....  Don't leave this decision up to the "Discharge Person"...  Be involved and proactive...  Research these places and request a specific facility.
• 
  
• In my experience, my parents received the best care and rehabilitation post discharge in an inpatient rehabilitation facility.  The one we utilized was connected to the hospital.  My parents were "frequent flyers" in this facility.  The physical rehabilitation is intense and extremely effective. Medicare has really cut back on the availability of this for seniors.  In any case, you have every right to demand that your loved one be assessed for this level of care.  Hope and pray for the best that they will be accepted.
• 
  
• In any case, research Medicare approved Skilled Nursing Facilities and have a preferred option.  Try to find facilities with private rooms.  These are few and far between.  These places are funded by Medicare and terribly understaffed.  Just the reality.  None are great.  Try to find the best physical rehabilitation situation.  How many physical therapists do they have?  How much rehab will your loved one receive?  How many times a day?
• 
  
• Research Assisted Living Facilities and have a preferred option.  Always ask about the ratio of caregiver to patient.  Nobody wants to talk about this...  You'll have a hard time getting a straight answer.   Most of the "Big Box" Corporate America places have pathetic ratios..  I'm talking about 1 caregiver to 12 or even 15 patients.  Really???   Do you think your parent's going to get any help.  You'll be getting the "FALL CALL" in the middle of the night...  They really shut down the ratio of caregiver to patient during the night.  This is when most falls happen in my experience.  
• 
  
• Try to find a "boutique" assisted living facility in your area..  These are usually private homes in nice neighborhoods, managed by an individual owner with a vested interest in good care.  If you have a relationship with your church, that's a great place to start.  That's how I found the best place for my mom.  Yes, the "boutique" places might seem to be more expensive but do the math...  The Corporate Big Box Places quote you a base price and keep adding on for stuff like tying their shoes, changing their diaper, wheeling them up for Bingo....  It all adds up and the total increases substantially.  Don't go there..  There's no help there.   My experience with the "boutique facility" has been one price... There's no extra charge for shoe laces or tying them.   Wheeling them up for Bingo is free!   It might seem like a lot but after you make the comparison, you'll see the difference.
• 
  
• Research Long Term Care Facilities and have a preferred option.  If you don't do this yourself, it will be done for you and you won't like the result...  My father spent the last years and 2 months of his life in a VA facility.  If your parent is a Veteran and a male person, this might be a good option but check out your local facility.   My dad made the D-Day Landings.  The Veterans Home in our area treated him with dignity and great respect.  Please check out your local VA Longterm Care Facility.  Our experience was very good but they may not all be the same.    
• 
  
• I hope this helps someone.  I wish I had had someone to help me ten years ago.  Please reach out if you need to vent.  I understand.